By Hillary Asemota
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has listed itself, Notore, LG Electronics, Guiness Nigeria, Nigerian Breweries, UAC Nigeria, Nigerian Bottling Company, Dangote Group, Bua Cement, Mouka Limited, Julius Berger Nigeria, Chevron Nigeria, MTN Nigeria, Access Bank, Polaris Bank, Zenith Bank, National Office for Technology Acquisition And Promotion (NOTAP), CBN, Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) and 1,195 others as organisations that prioritized compliance to the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) Audit filing list between 2020 and 2021.
For the list of the 1213 outfits that were compliant and captured in the audit filing, NITDA’s Head of Corporate Affairs and External Relations, Mrs. Hadiza Umar, said the comprehensive list is published on NITDA’s website and accessible through this link https://nitda.gov.ng/official-ndpr-audit-list-2021/
According to her, the list is an authoritative repository of organizations that have prioritized compliance with the country’s data protection regulation, and has therefore become a reference point for global law firms, multinationals, investors, and compliance enthusiasts.
According to her, the list indicates those organisations that have undergone the NDPR audit process to ascertain their level of compliance, and identify areas for improvement.
All the listed organizations, she added have engaged a Data Protection Compliance Organization (DPCO) to train their staff, and to implement basic data protection protocols, she added.
“The list comprises 1,213 organizations from 13 sectors that contribute to Nigeria’s GDP.
“They include Health, Transport & Logistics, Public Sector, Industrial and Extractive, ICT and Media, Energy and Power, Education, Finance, Commerce, and Consulting.” Umar, said.
Meanwhile, NITDA through its subsidiary, the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), and in partnership with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is set to launch iHatch, a startup incubation programme aimed at increasing the number of innovation-driven enterprises by Nigerian youths.
The incubation program will provide an excellent opportunity for startups that have innovative business ideas along with a prototype of their products or services.
iHatch is a 5-month free intensive incubation program designed to help Nigerian entrepreneurs perfect their business ideas through a series of coaching, lectures, and boot camps, to generate viable and scalable business models. iHatch focuses on youth, innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology.
According to the NITDA Spokesperson, she quoted the Director General of the agency, Mallam Kashifu Inuwa as saying that participating startups will receive free offline and online interactive training from experienced coaches and mentors from over the world.
Other benefits include free co-working space for the duration of the programme and investment opportunities.
“iHatch seeks to establish a programme that will accelerate the process of taking ideas to impact, hence providing the much-needed jobs for our teeming youths, and also nurturing that entrepreneurial spirit in them, which will catalyses the Nigerian digital economy to the next level.” the Director-General/CEO, said. iHatch is available at NCAIR websitehttps://www.ncair.nitda.gov.ng
About NCAIR:
The National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) is one of NITDA’s special purpose vehicles created to promote research and development on emerging technologies and their practical application in areas of Nigerian national interest. NCAIR is also focused on creating a thriving ecosystem for innovation-driven entrepreneurship (IDE), job creation, and national development.
For more information: https://www.ncair.nitda.gov.ng
About JICA:
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) coordinates official development assistance for the Japanese government in developing countries and aims to promote international cooperation by supporting the socio-economic development, recovery, or economic stability of emerging economies. For more information: https://www.jica.go.jp/english/index.html
