The Federal Government has concluded arrangements to empower tertiary institutions across Nigeria to enhance their internally generated revenue through lawful and creative data management practices. Spearheaded by the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC), the initiative introduces structured training workshops tailored for various higher education tiers.
According to an official announcement by Bolu John Folayan, the Executive Consultant for the program at the NDPC, polytechnics are scheduled for training sessions on November 24 and 25. Meanwhile, colleges of education will take part in their designated workshops on December 1 and 2, 2026, with universities slated to participate during the first quarter of 2027.
What is the primary objective of the training?
Beyond revenue generation, the capacity-building program is designed to fulfill statutory requirements under the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023. The legislation mandates all designated data controllers and processors, including higher education establishments, to acquire proper certification and develop institutional capacity for handling information securely.
Highlighting the economic rationale behind the project, Folayan pointed out that schools could avoid imposing heavy financial strains on families amidst prevailing economic difficulties.
“Rather than concentrate on raising tuition and heap additional financial burdens on students and parents in the challenging economic situation, our tertiary institutions can make huge income and improve their international ratings by building their capacities in managing their data that are already in their possession,” Folayan stated.
What will the workshops cover?
The comprehensive curriculum will address core operational areas, including the statutory obligations and liabilities of academic institutions acting as data controllers. Participants will also learn the structural framework required for setting up dedicated data protection units within both public and private institutions, alongside building compliant consent management systems and data lifecycles.
Furthermore, the nationwide capacity-building exercise has received formal endorsement from key regulatory bodies, namely the National Universities Commission (NUC), the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE).