Abuja, July 30, 2025 (NAN) Dr Musa Aliyu, SAN, the Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has expressed determination to scale up the anti-corruption fight through responsible data use and protection.
Aliyu said this at the opening of a three-day strategic capacity-building workshop for the newly constituted Data Protection and Incident Response Team (DPIRT) of the commission on Wednesday in Abuja.
He was represented by the Secretary to the Commission, Mr Clifford Oparaodu.
He said the training underscored the anti-graft agencies’ commitment to strengthening internal data governance.
He said it was also to ensure compliance with the Nigerian Data Protection Act, 2023, aligning with global best practices.
The ICPC boss described the training as a landmark initiative, and the first of its kind in the commission’s history.
He said that the Data Protection Act, signed into law in 2023, was a major milestone in safeguarding the privacy rights of Nigerian citizens.
Aliyu said that it also offers institutions like ICPC the opportunity to lead in data responsibility and transparency.
He commended the Data Protection Officers for their leadership and encouraged the ‘Data Champions’ to engage actively in the training.
He said the commission was actively collaborating with the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to enhance anti-corruption efforts through responsible data use.
Speaking, the Chairman of the Data Protection and Information Security Management System (ISMS) Steering Committee, Mrs Grace Agha-Ibe, described the initiative as a vital step toward institutional compliance with the Act.
Agha-Ibe highlighted the Steering Committee’s role established in 2024 in driving data protection standards within the commission.
The Head, Information and Communication Technology Unit of the Commission, Mr Bashir Dagaro, lauded the initiative.
He emphasised the essential role of data champions in promoting a culture of security, collaboration, and compliance across departments.
Dagaro further called for a continued learning and teamwork in building a secure digital environment.
”The Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 (NDPA) is a comprehensive law designed to safeguard the fundamental rights and freedom of data subjects, particularly their personal information.
”The Act aims to promote best practices in data processing, ensure data security and privacy, and provide remedies for data breaches,” he said. (NAN)
