E-Business
NDPC @ 2025 Data Privacy Day, Calls for Collaboration on Awareness
![](https://www.nigeriacommunicationsweek.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/NDPC-Nigeria.jpg)
Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has called for increased collaboration to raise awareness and foster data privacy and protection across Nigeria.
![NDPC @ 2025 Data Privacy Day, Calls for Collaboration on Awareness](https://i0.wp.com/www.nigeriacommunicationsweek.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Dr.-Vincent-Olatunji.jpg?resize=557%2C247&ssl=1)
Dr. Vincent Olatunji, national commissioner, NDPC
The call was made by Dr. Vincent Olatunji, national commissioner, NDPC, during an event marking the 2025 World Data Privacy Day in Lagos.
World Data Privacy Day, observed globally on January 28 every year, serves to highlight the importance of data privacy.
The theme for this year’s observance was “Respecting Privacy, Safeguarding Data, and Enabling Trust.”
Olatunji, who joined the event virtually, stressed that collective action was required to prioritise data privacy in order to attract foreign direct investment into Nigeria.
In his speech, Olatunji outlined the importance of protecting personal data, emphasising that everyone must understand how to safeguard their personal information.
“We need to know how to protect our personal information and data and make sure that we do not share personal information anyhow,” he said.
He also urged data controllers and processors to ensure the protection of data under their care.
Olatunji further discussed the necessity of developing a robust digital economy in the country, which depends on a comprehensive approach to data management, policies, and strategies.
“We all need to work together to make it happen,” he added.
Highlighting the Commission’s progress, Olatunji noted that over 10,000 people had been trained, to create 500,000 jobs in the Nigerian economy through data protection initiatives.
Mr. Tokunbo Smith, president, Data Knowledge Information Privacy Protection Initiative (DKIPPI), also spoke at the event, urging Nigerians to make full use of the Nigeria Data Protection Law, which was passed in June 2023.
Smith praised President Bola Tinubu for signing the law into effect, calling it a “day of freedom for Nigerians.”
He highlighted the law’s provision that empowers individuals to take legal action against anyone who misuses their personal data.
Smith also commended the NDPC for its efforts in training data protection officers and providing certification exams, encouraging Nigerians to leverage these opportunities to protect their data and explore career paths in data protection.
Mr. Fiyinfolu Okedara, guest speaker, further emphasised the need for continuous awareness of data privacy.
He explained that data protection should be an ongoing process, not just a one-time event.
Okedara urged both organisations and individuals to prioritise data privacy education year-round, rather than only on World Data Privacy Day.
During the panel discussion, Mr. Gbenga Sesan, executive director, Paradigm Initiative, stressed that respecting data privacy is a shared responsibility.
He urged people to safeguard their personal data by not writing it down carelessly and to foster trust by ensuring data protection is prioritised.
Mr. Olumide Babalola, another panelist, raised awareness about the future implications of data privacy, predicting a time when children might sue their parents for creating digital footprints for them.
He stressed that consent should always be obtained before adding someone to a WhatsApp group, as failing to do so would constitute a breach of privacy.
The event aimed to foster greater awareness of data privacy and promote best practices among individuals and organisations, ensuring that data protection remains a priority in Nigeria’s evolving digital landscape.
E-Business
GSMA Launches Innovation Fund to Boost AI Solutions in Emerging Markets
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GSMA Innovation Fund for Impactful AI has been unveiled, marking a significant initiative aimed at empowering small and growing enterprises in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) across Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific.
This fund is designed to foster AI-driven innovations that tackle critical socio-economic and climate challenges, helping underserved regions unlock the transformative potential of artificial intelligence.
Artificial intelligence has proven its ability to address pressing global issues, from precision agriculture and renewable energy to remote healthcare and financial inclusion.
Yet, LMICs remain underserved in funding and resources, with only a small percentage of global grants directed toward locally-developed AI solutions.
Despite the growth of AI-driven technologies, these advancements are often not tailored to the unique needs of local populations in LMICs.
The GSMA Innovation Fund seeks to close this gap by identifying, testing, and scaling impactful AI solutions that are contextually relevant and capable of delivering measurable socio-economic and climate benefits.
In partnership with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO), the GSMA Innovation Fund provides a comprehensive support package to selected enterprises. Key benefits include:
Grant Funding: Ranging from £100,000 to £250,000 for projects lasting 15–18 months.
Tailored Venture Support: Guidance to strengthen business models and improve scalability.
Partnership Opportunities: Facilitation of collaborations with mobile operators, public sector organizations, and other stakeholders.
Peer Learning: Platforms for exchanging knowledge and best practices with other innovators.
Visibility and Exposure: Access to GSMA’s global events, publications, and online platforms to connect with potential investors and partners.
E-Business
MRA Calls for Safer Internet User Rights in Nigeria
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Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has called on the Nigerian government to take legitimate measures to safeguard the rights and safety of internet users in the country.
In a statement released ahead of Safer Internet Day (SID), the Media Rights Agenda (MRA) called on the Nigerian Federal and State governments to take measures to protect internet users’ rights.
MRA highlighted the misuse of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, initially designed to address cybercrime threats.
According to MRA, the Act has been exploited by powerful individuals to intimidate journalists, activists, and citizens, undermining freedom of expression and cybersecurity.
Mr. Ayode Longe, deputy executive director, MRA, emphasised that these actions violate democratic principles and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations. He highlighted the SID theme “Together for a Better Internet” as a call for multi-stakeholder cooperation to create a safe and accessible online environment.
Longe noted Nigeria’s progress in digital technology adoption but pointed out persistent online threats, including scams, data breaches, and misinformation.
He stressed the need for legal frameworks that protect users’ rights without compromising their privacy or freedom of expression.
MRA urged the government to review the Cybercrimes Act to ensure it aligns with international human rights standards and to establish guidelines to prevent arbitrary prosecutions.
MRA also called for digital literacy initiatives and collaboration with tech companies to promote online safety.
Additionally, they urged the courts to protect Nigerians’ rights by rejecting unfounded cybercrime cases and ensuring fair application of the law.
Longe reiterated MRA’s commitment to defending digital rights and advocating for a free and open digital environment where everyone can access information and express themselves responsibly.
Together, stakeholders can create an internet where all users, regardless of age or background, can engage safely and freely.
E-Business
Google Messages to Enable WhatsApp Video Calls
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Google Messages is reportedly working on a new feature that would allow WhatsApp video calls; the feature was found in the app’s code and is not yet functional, but it reportedly activates when the caller’s device is not running Google Meet.
Users of the tech giant’s first-party app in Mountain View are reportedly able to make video calls more easily because of this functionality.
According to a separate report, the app recently combined the gallery picker with the camera viewfinder when the camera option was opened.
A report from the Android Authority suggests that Google Messages may soon incorporate WhatsApp’s video calling functionality. The functionality was discovered by the publication in Google Messages version 20250131.
The code had a flag for the feature, which was turned on. As a result, consumers cannot try it out at this time.
According to screenshots the website posted, when users select the video call icon in Google Messages, a prompt advising them to use WhatsApp to make video calls appears.
But following the reports, the feature only appears if the caller does not have Google Meet installed.
Interestingly, at the moment, users can only use Meet to make video calls; if they don’t have it loaded, the app asks them to do so before attempting again.
With this new functionality, WhatsApp does not direct users to the chat app when they make a video call.
Rather, it is said to activate the full-screen video conference interface immediately.
If Google Messenger is the user’s main messaging program, this functionality could save them multiple clicks.
Though based on the article, the capability is limited to individual talks.
The app can only use Meet to start video calls in group discussions.
Furthermore, it has been noted that Google Messages does not trigger the WhatsApp video call pop-up if the recipient does not have WhatsApp installed.
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