By Folanrinmi Titilayo
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has partnered with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to strengthen the data protection of all citizens.
This collaboration was announced during an official visit on July 17, 2024, by a team of experts led by Dr. Vincent Olatunji, the National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NDPC, to INEC Headquarters in Abuja.
Receiving the delegation, INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu highlighted the significance of the visit, emphasizing the need to ensure maximum protection for the vast database of Nigerian citizens maintained by INEC.
Professor Yakubu stated,
At the last election, we had ninety-three million (93,000,000) records of citizens. Recently, during the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in just two states (Edo and Ondo), we added more than two hundred thousand (200,000) additional records to the existing register.
He continued,
There cannot be credible elections without a credible register of voters, and there cannot be a credible register of voters without reliable data. INEC is proud to have the largest database of citizens in Africa. Our database includes citizens’ most sensitive national records, fingerprints, and facial biometrics. We encompass all citizens, from those in the executive branch of government to members of the National Assembly, security services, and judiciary. We include all categories of citizens, male and female, young and old.
INEC National Commissioner May Agbamuche-Mbu praised the collaboration, noting its importance in safeguarding citizens’ data.
Dr. Vincent Olatunji commended INEC for its commitment to ensuring a secure democratic process, emphasizing the global significance of protecting individuals’ data from identity theft and unauthorized access.
Identity theft and unauthorized access to databases, which people can use for malicious purposes, have attracted global attention. Countries worldwide are implementing measures to protect their citizens’ data,” Dr. Olatunji remarked.
He assured INEC of the NDPC’s unwavering support, including providing free training to ensure the robust protection of Nigerians’ data.