The National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr. Vincent Olatunji, has received the President and CEO of Africa Digital Infrastructure Company Limited (AfDIC), Mr. Terwase Gbande-Hembaor, and his team at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
AfDIC, which serves as the investment arm of Benue Digital Infrastructure Company Limited (BDIC), visited the NDPC to discuss strategic collaboration on data protection and digital development projects across Africa.
During the visit, Mr. Gbande-Hembaor commended the NDPC under Dr. Olatunji’s leadership for its continued support to BDIC—particularly in facilitating the training of 40,000 staff members of the Benue State Government. He outlined AfDIC’s upcoming projects, including the establishment of a Unified Identity System for Africa and a national digital platform designed to host over 30 million artisans. The platform, he explained, would enable citizens to easily access essential services and improve their economic participation.
Highlighting the centrality of data in AfDIC’s operations, Mr. Gbande-Hembaor noted that the NDPC was the company’s first point of contact due to the extensive data processing involved in its initiatives. He emphasized that the Commission’s regulatory guidance would be vital as AfDIC expands its operations across the continent.
In his response, Dr. Olatunji congratulated the AfDIC team on their ambitious projects and commended their efforts to leverage technology to solve real-life challenges. He stressed that data privacy and protection must remain at the core of all digital initiatives, urging the company to appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO) and engage a licensed Data Protection Compliance Organisation (DPCO) for ongoing compliance and advisory support.
Dr. Olatunji further emphasized the importance of training and awareness for AfDIC staff, noting that prioritizing privacy will strengthen public trust and foster collaboration among stakeholders. He also advised the company to ensure proper verification and authentication of artisans on its platform, stating that service quality and accountability would be key to sustaining credibility.
The NDPC boss encouraged AfDIC to work closely with relevant government agencies to achieve its objectives and assured the company of the Commission’s continued support—particularly in safeguarding data protection and privacy as AfDIC’s initiatives evolve across Africa.
