ABUJA — The Federal Government has launched the Youth Data Protection Awareness and Training (YDPAT) programme—an ambitious national project aimed at positioning Nigerian youth at the forefront of data privacy and cybersecurity.
The formal rollout of the initiative took place on Thursday, July 25, 2025, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, and brought together key actors across government, the private sector, civil society, and youth leadership.
With the theme “Securing Nigeria’s Digital Future: Youth at the Frontline of Data Protection,” the event marked the government’s growing focus on digital ethics, privacy legislation, and skills-driven youth empowerment.
Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, described YDPAT as both “visionary” and “urgent,” citing the dual opportunity and threat posed by digital technologies in a world increasingly shaped by data flows.
“Digital technologies bring opportunities for learning, entrepreneurship, and creativity, but they also expose our young people to serious risks, from identity theft to data exploitation,” Olawande said.
With fewer than 5,000 certified Data Protection Officers (DPOs) serving over 500,000 data controllers nationwide, the Minister highlighted YDPAT’s potential to train youth to fill a growing skills gap, calling it a “job creation goldmine.”
He outlined the programme’s objectives:
Train youth to fill DPO roles in public and private sectors.
Increase awareness of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023.
Foster a new generation of digitally responsible citizens.
“This is about building a privacy-first generation, one that’s inclusive, future-facing, and globally competitive,” he said.
The launch also received high-level support from the Presidency. Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, praised the Ministry for its proactive approach, while stressing that enthusiasm alone is not enough.
“This collaboration sends a clear message: when institutions unite around a shared vision, young people thrive and Nigeria progresses. Enthusiasm isn’t enough, our youth must be equipped with skills that are adaptable, market-relevant, and future-proof,” she stated.
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), represented by its CEO Dr. Vincent Olatunji, reinforced the Commission’s broader agenda for institutional development, noting recent steps to domesticate DPO certifications through partnerships with local institutes such as the Institute of Information Management (IIM).
“We are reducing reliance on foreign certification bodies while building local capacity to support the full implementation of the NDPA,” Olatunji explained.
In his remarks, Hon. Stanley Adedeji Olajide, Chairman of the House Committee on ICT, lauded the programme’s relevance, calling data “the new oil” and stressing the importance of protecting it.
“This initiative is a bold step toward realizing the objectives of the NDPA 2023. I commend the Ministry’s foresight in putting youth at the center of our digital future,” he said.
Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, underscored that the programme will not be business as usual. Through its memorandum of understanding with NDPC, the Ministry targets training 5,000 youth by December 2025, with the long-term goal of reaching one million.
“YDPAT is not just another training initiative, but the start of a national movement. One that positions our youth as champions of digital ethics, innovation, and resilience,” he noted.
The event also featured the unveiling of the YDPAT Online Platform, designed to provide open access to educational content, certification paths, and digital learning tools.
In a rousing closing appeal, Olawande called on Nigerian youth to take ownership of the process:
“You are not just beneficiaries, you are partners in shaping Nigeria’s digital future. Together, we will make YDPAT a model for Africa and beyond.”
Full Press Release:
FEDERAL MINISTRY OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
July 25, 2025
FG Launches Youth Data Protection Awareness and Training (YDPAT) Program in Abuja
...Targets 5,000 Youth by December; Aims to Train One Million – Comrade Olawande
In a major stride toward empowering Nigerian youth in a rapidly evolving digital world, the Federal Government has officially launched the Youth Data Protection Awareness and Training (YDPAT) program at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.
Themed “Securing Nigeria’s Digital Future: Youth at the Frontline of Data Protection,” the launch marked a key milestone in the government’s commitment to data privacy, youth empowerment, and national digital resilience.
Delivering the keynote address, the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, described YDPAT as “a bold, necessary, and visionary journey to empower Nigerian youth in an increasingly digital world.”
“Digital technologies bring opportunities for learning, entrepreneurship, and creativity, but they also expose our young people to serious risks, from identity theft to data exploitation,” he said.
Citing that fewer than 5,000 certified Data Protection Officers (DPOs) currently operate across Nigeria, the Minister emphasized the employment potential within the data protection ecosystem.
“With over 500,000 data controllers nationwide, each required by law to appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO), we see a tremendous opportunity for job creation for young, trained professionals,” Olawande said.
He added that awareness and compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023 remains low among youth, and that YDPAT seeks to close this gap by:
Training youth to meet industry demand for certified DPOs
Raising national awareness on NDPA 2023 and global privacy standards
Building a digitally literate, security-conscious generation
“This is about building a privacy-first generation, one that’s inclusive, future-facing, and globally competitive.”
The Minister acknowledged the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) as a key partner and thanked youth leaders, civil society, and development partners for shaping the initiative.
In her remarks, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, reaffirmed the Presidency’s support, noting that:
“This collaboration sends a clear message: when institutions unite around a shared vision, young people thrive and Nigeria progresses. Enthusiasm isn’t enough, our youth must be equipped with skills that are adaptable, market-relevant, and future-proof.”
Speaking on behalf of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, NDPC, Commissioner and CEO, Dr. Vincent Olatunji highlighted the Commission’s broader capacity-building agenda, including licensing of the Institute of Information Management to issue globally recognized DPO certifications — reducing reliance on foreign providers and strengthening local capacity.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the House Committee on ICT Hon. Stanley Adedeji Olajide, described data as “the new oil, and information the new currency.”
“This initiative is a bold step toward realizing the objectives of the NDPA 2023. I commend the Ministry’s foresight in putting youth at the center of our digital future.”
In his welcome address, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to leveraging its MoU with the NDPC to train at least 5,000 youth by December 2025. He described YDPAT as:
“Not just another training initiative, but the start of a national movement. One that positions our youth as champions of digital ethics, innovation, and resilience.”
The event also featured the unveiling of the YDPAT Online Platform, a user-friendly digital hub offering access to training modules, certification pathways, learning materials, and ongoing engagement opportunities.
In closing, the Minister urged Nigerian youth to take ownership of the program:
“You are not just beneficiaries, you are partners in shaping Nigeria’s digital future. Together, we will make YDPAT a model for Africa and beyond.”
Omolara Esan
Director
Information and Public Relations
Federal Ministry of Youth Development