NDPC signs MoU with BPP to boost data protection in Nigeria’s public procurement

Abdullateef Fowewe

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), aiming to embed data protection standards into the nation’s public procurement processes under the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.

The partnership, announced on Thursday, seeks to enhance trust, confidence, and credibility in procurement by prioritising privacy as a global imperative.

NDPC National Commissioner/CEO Dr Vincent Olatunji commended BPP Director-General Dr Adebowale Adedokun for his commitment, stating, “Privacy is a global issue that must be taken seriously to improve trust, confidence, and the credibility of the nation’s procurement processes.”

Dr Olatunji highlighted the collaboration’s economic benefits, noting it would “improve investor confidence in the public sector and strengthen the economy, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.”

He kickstarted implementation by offering 50 Virtual Privacy Academy (VPA) vouchers to BPP staff for Data Protection Officer (DPO) training—two BPP members are already participating in ongoing sessions—and extended benefits to their vendors.

In response, Dr Adedokun praised NDPC’s leadership under Dr Olatunji for advancing data protection nationwide.

He stressed data’s critical role, noting, “The unlawful release of data is a criminal offence,” and urged safeguards for “national digital assets in line with the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023.”

Grateful for the vouchers, he proposed workshops for all 453 procurement officers across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

A joint working group was immediately formed to drive MoU implementation, signaling swift action on capacity building and compliance.