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FG Kicks Off Youth Data Protection Training, Eyes 5,000 Trainees by December, One Million in a Year

Published

1 year ago

July 25, 2025

By Joel Ajayi

In a decisive move to equip young Nigerians with vital digital skills and ensure the nation’s resilience in a data-driven age, the Federal Government has launched the Youth Data Protection Awareness and Training (YDPAT) programme at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.

With the theme “Securing Nigeria’s Digital Future: Youth at the Frontline of Data Protection,” the initiative signals a renewed national commitment to safeguarding data privacy, expanding digital literacy, and creating job opportunities through the emerging data protection ecosystem.

Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, who led the launch, described YDPAT as a strategic initiative aimed at empowering Nigerian youth to navigate and thrive in an increasingly digital society.

“Digital technologies offer vast opportunities for learning, entrepreneurship, and creativity. But they also expose our young people to serious risks — from identity theft to data misuse,” Olawande noted.

Highlighting that Nigeria currently has fewer than 5,000 certified Data Protection Officers (DPOs) serving over 500,000 data controllers nationwide, the Minister underscored the programme’s employment potential.

“By training young Nigerians to become certified DPOs, we are not just preparing them for the jobs of the future — we are addressing a real and growing industry need,” he said.

Olawande explained that awareness of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023 remains low among youth, and YDPAT was designed to address that gap by:Training young people to meet the growing demand for certified DPOs
Raising awareness on NDPA 2023 and international data privacy standards
Building a digitally literate, security-conscious generation.

“This initiative is about building a privacy-first generation that is inclusive, future-focused, and globally competitive,” he added.

The Minister commended the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) for its partnership, and acknowledged the support of youth leaders, civil society organizations, and development agencies in shaping the programme.
Speaking at the launch, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, emphasized the Presidency’s full backing for YDPAT.

“This partnership shows that when institutions align behind a shared goal, youth empowerment accelerates and national development gains momentum. But passion alone isn’t enough — our youth must be equipped with future-relevant, adaptive skills,” she said.

In his remarks, the Commissioner and CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, outlined the Commission’s capacity-building plans, including the licensing of the Institute of Information Management to issue globally recognized certifications for DPOs — a move aimed at reducing reliance on foreign certification bodies and strengthening local capacity.

Also speaking, Chairman of the House Committee on ICT, Hon. Stanley Adedeji Olajide, described the initiative as a key step in operationalizing the NDPA 2023.

“Data is the new oil, and information is the new currency. This initiative places youth at the heart of our digital economy, preparing them to drive innovation and ensure ethical data practices,” he said.

Welcoming guests, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Development, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to training at least 5,000 youth by December 2025, leveraging an existing MoU with the NDPC.
“YDPAT is not just another training initiative — it’s the start of a national movement to position our youth as champions of digital ethics and innovation,” he said.

A key highlight of the event was the unveiling of the YDPAT Online Platform — a centralized digital hub providing access to training modules, certification pathways, learning resources, and interactive engagement for youth participants across the country.

In closing, Comrade Olawande urged Nigerian youth to take ownership of the programme.
“You’re not just participants — you are partners. The success of YDPAT depends on your passion, participation, and persistence. Let’s make this a model for Africa and the world.”

The launch drew participants from youth organizations, civil society groups, tech startups, academia, and government agencies, all signaling strong support for the programme’s objectives.

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Eagle Times Newspaper Will Be Voice for Nigerians – Publisher Chukwunyere Vows

Published

7 hours ago

October 2, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Publisher of The Eagle Times Nigeria, Sir Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, has pledged that the newspaper will promote accountability, credible journalism and public-interest reporting in its coverage of national affairs.
Chukwunyere made the commitment on Thursday, October 1, 2026, during the official unveiling and launch of The Eagle Times Nigeria.

He said the new media organisation was established not merely to add another newspaper to Nigeria’s media landscape, but to provide a platform committed to serving the public interest.

According to him, the newspaper’s guiding philosophy, “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation,” places a responsibility on the organisation to listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight issues affecting their daily lives and scrutinise those entrusted with public responsibilities.

“To be a voice for the people means that we must listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight their concerns and give visibility to issues that affect their daily lives,” he said.

The publisher added that The Eagle Times would be guided by accuracy, fairness, professionalism, credibility and responsible journalism, stressing that the newspaper would not publish stories merely because they were sensational.

“We will verify. We will investigate. We will seek the other side. We will correct our mistakes when we make them,” he said.

Chukwunyere further stated that the newspaper would endeavour to give individuals and organisations the opportunity to respond whenever allegations were made against them.
“Our commitment is not to any political party, government or individual. Our primary commitment is to journalism, to truth and to the Nigerian public,” he said.

He noted that the newspaper was launching at a time when the media industry was undergoing rapid transformation, with audiences increasingly consuming news through digital platforms, including websites, television, podcasts and social media.

He said The Eagle Times would therefore operate as a multimedia organisation, combining its newspaper with digital platforms and The Eagle Times TV to reach audiences across different channels.

According to him, the organisation also intends to create opportunities for young journalists, writers, photographers, producers, digital creators and other media professionals to develop their skills and contribute to journalism and national development.

Chukwunyere said the newspaper’s coverage would include politics, governance, business, economy, security, judiciary, education, health, technology, sports, entertainment, lifestyle and international affairs.

He, however, said the organisation intended to distinguish itself not only by the subjects it covered but by the quality and approach of its journalism.

We want to tell stories that matter, we want to investigate issues that require investigation, we want to highlight Nigerians who are making a difference, and we want to give communities that are often ignored an opportunity to be heard,” he said.

The publisher acknowledged the challenges involved in establishing a newspaper, saying the venture required investment, commitment, professional discipline and the courage to pursue an idea.

He expressed appreciation to the management, editorial, reporting, production and digital teams, as well as families, friends, partners and supporters who contributed to the establishment of the organisation.

Chukwunyere also assured readers, viewers and the newspaper’s digital audience that The Eagle Times would strive to earn their trust and remain accountable to the standards it had set for itself.

He said the newspaper’s success would not be measured only by circulation figures, website traffic or social media followers, but also by the confidence Nigerians placed in its journalism.

“Today, we spread our wings. Today, The Eagle Times takes flight,” he said, reaffirming the newspaper’s commitment to its slogan: “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation.”

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