The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) said it has licensed the Institute of Information Management (IIM) to certify data protection professionals in the country.
Dr. Vincent Olatunji, NDPC’s National Commissioner and CEO, detailed what he described as “the extensive evaluation process that commenced in 2021.”
He noted that the Institute of Information Management emerged as the leading institution after a comprehensive bid evaluation, a Data Protection Impact Assessment of the certification platform, and multiple technical sessions with NDPC officials.

According to the NDPC CEO, the National Certification Process is designed to bolster the local data protection industry by developing a pool of globally-competitive professionals. This initiative, he said, aims to reduce the dependency on international certifications, thus alleviating pressure on the Naira.
Additionally, it seeks to support other African countries in certification processes, generate employment opportunities for Data Protection Compliance Organizations (DPCOs), and attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs). The overarching goal is to create over 500,000 jobs within Nigeria’s data protection ecosystem, Olatunji said.
To maintain high standards, he assured that NDPC would closely monitor the certification process to ensure it meets international competitiveness and global standards.
Dr Ayodeji Oyewole, President of IIM, expressed appreciation to the NDPC for its professionalism and stringent licensing process.
IIM is prepared for the critical role, its President added emphasising that the organisation would prioritise security and integrity to foster trust and confidence in the certification process.