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Six African Nations In Abuja To Study Nigeria’s Data Protection Model

Published

3 months ago

September 8, 2025

Six African Nations In Abuja To Study Nigeria’s Data Protection Model

Six African nations in Abuja to study Nigeria’s data protection model
, including Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and The Gambia, are currently in Abuja for a Data Governance Study Trip hosted by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission.

This study trip forms part of a broader effort to strengthen data governance frameworks across the African continent.

The NDPC was officially established in 2023, following the enactment of the Nigeria Data Protection Act.

This legislation, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, supersedes the previous Nigeria Data Protection Regulation of 2019 and the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau established in 2022.

The NDPC now serves as the independent regulatory authority overseeing data protection and privacy matters in Nigeria.

During his opening remarks at the opening ceremony of a five-day data governance study visit for Data Protection Authorities in Abuja on Monday, the National Commissioner of NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, shared insights from Nigeria’s journey in data protection.

He highlighted the importance of developing a unified governance framework that respects the unique socio-political and economic contexts of each country, while aligning with continental standards.

Olatunji emphasised the need for African countries to design national data protection policies that reflect their own realities.

The study trip, which is more than just a learning exercise, has been described as a platform for fostering collaboration, sharing experiences, and establishing long-term partnerships among African nations.

Olatunji further stressed the importance of continuing these conversations beyond the event to strengthen the role of Data Protection Authorities in securing digital rights and promoting inclusive digital economies.

He also pointed out that, although 36 African countries had enacted data protection laws, only 26 had established dedicated data protection authorities.

He stressed that the establishment of such authorities must be accompanied by strong implementation and cross-border cooperation.

With Africa’s population of over 1.4 billion people, Olatunji noted that the continent presents significant opportunities for a thriving digital economy.

“This potential can only be realised if the continent develops a single digital market that is supported by free, responsible flow of data and proper governance structure”, he said.

The NDPC boss also said that the country has generated over $1.5 million in registration fees and trained over 23,000 Data Protection Officers in the past three years.

“Data is the new oil, but unlike crude oil, it cannot be exported raw. It must be refined through governance, compliance, and innovation to create value. That is exactly what we are trying to build in Nigeria,” he said.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT & Cybersecurity, Salisu Afolabi, highlighted the progress lawmakers had made in drafting the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill, which aims to eliminate legal uncertainties surrounding electronic transactions.

He also noted that lawmakers were collaborating with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime to ensure the law aligns with global best practices.

The Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Massimo de Luca, representing the European Union, emphasised that while emerging technologies can drive efficiency, their success hinges on strong data governance frameworks.

He further emphasised that data protection authorities not only safeguard citizens’ privacy but also attract investment and facilitate data flows for regional prosperity.

Political Counsellor at the German Embassy, Felix Reinhold, urged African countries to ensure their data remains protected within the continent.

He stressed the importance of protecting citizens’ privacy and ensuring that data contributes to local innovation and sustainable development.

He also warned against data monopolies, advocating for an equitable and trusted digital future for Africa.

Headline

Netanyahu Asks Israeli President For Pardon From Corruption Charges

Published

12 hours ago

November 30, 2025

Editor

Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has asked the country’s president for a pardon in his long-running corruption case, saying the criminal proceedings are hindering his ability to govern and that ending the trial would benefit the nation.

Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, has denied the bribery, fraud and breach of trust charges.

His lawyers told the president’s office that he still believes the legal process will eventually lead to a complete acquittal.

“My lawyers sent a request for pardon to the president of the country today. I expect that anyone who wishes for the good of the country support this step,” Netanyahu said in a brief video statement released by his Likud party.

The prime minister, who has been on trial for five years, has not admitted guilt, and neither have his lawyers. Opposition leader Yair Lapid said Netanyahu should not receive a pardon unless he admits wrongdoing, expresses remorse and immediately withdraws from political life.

Pardons in Israel are usually granted only after a conviction, but Netanyahu’s lawyers argued the president can step in when public interest is at stake, saying intervention could help heal national divisions and promote unity.

President Isaac Herzog’s office described the request as “extraordinary” with “significant implications”. His office said the president “will responsibly and sincerely consider the request” after receiving the necessary opinions.

United States President, Donald Trump, recently wrote to Herzog urging him to consider approving the pardon, describing the case against Netanyahu as “a political, unjustified prosecution”.

Herzog’s office said the request will be sent to the justice ministry’s pardons department to gather assessments that will be forwarded to the president’s legal adviser, who will prepare a recommendation.

(Reuters)

Headline

US: Four Killed, 10 Others Wounded In California Shooting

Published

23 hours ago

November 30, 2025

Editor

Four people were confirmed dead and 10 others injured after a shooting at a family gathering in California, United States on Saturday night, according to US police, who described the attack as a “targeted incident.”

The incident occurred inside a banquet hall in Stockton, northeast of San Francisco, shortly before 6:00 pm, spokesperson for the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, Heather Brent, told reporters during a news briefing.

Brent said the victims, ranging from “juveniles to adults,” were rushed to nearby hospitals, noting that details about the shooting remained limited.

“What we have confirmed at this time is that there was a banquet hall where a family was celebrating. We have 14 victims of this shooting. Four of those are deceased,” Brent said.

“Early indications suggest that this may be a targeted incident. Investigators are exploring all possibilities at this time.”

The sheriff’s office posted on social media that detectives were “working to determine the circumstances leading up to this tragedy.”

“We are urging anyone with information, video footage, or who may have witnessed any part of this incident to contact the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office immediately,” the post added.

Authorities said no suspect had been identified at the time of the report.

California Governor Gavin Newsom was briefed on the development, his office said in a social media statement.

Data from the Gun Violence Archive shows there have been 504 mass shootings in the United States so far this year, including the Stockton attack.

(AFP)

Headline

FULL LIST: US To Review Green Cards From 19 ‘Countries Of Concern’ After Washington Shooting

Published

2 days ago

November 29, 2025

Editor

The Trump administration announced on Thursday that it will review the immigration status of all permanent residents, or “Green Card” holders, from Afghanistan and 18 other countries following the attack on National Guard troops in Washington, D.C.

U.S. officials identified the suspect in Wednesday’s shooting as a 29-year-old Afghan national who previously worked alongside American forces in Afghanistan.

The individual was granted asylum earlier this year, not permanent residency, according to AfghanEvac, an organisation that assists Afghans resettled in the United States after the Taliban takeover in 2021.

“I have directed a full-scale, rigorous reexamination of every Green Card for every alien from every country of concern,” said Joseph Edlow, director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), on X.

The review follows a June executive order from President Trump classifying 19 countries as “of Identified Concern.”

The order banned entry for nearly all nationals from 12 countries, including Afghanistan. The full list of these countries is:

Afghanistan

Myanmar

Chad

Congo-Brazzaville

Equatorial Guinea

Eritrea

Haiti

Iran

Libya

Somalia

Sudan

Yemen

A partial travel ban applies to seven additional countries, though some temporary work visas remain allowed: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.