The Federal Government has launched the Youth Data Protection Awareness and Training (YDPAT) programme to equip young Nigerians with skills in data privacy, creating job opportunities and strengthening Nigeria's digital economy.
Held at the Shehu Musa Yar'Adua Centre in Abuja, the launch brought together government officials, youth leaders, and tech stakeholders. The initiative, themed "Securing Nigeria's Digital Future: Youth at the Frontline of Data Protection," aims to train 5,000 young Nigerians by December 2025 to meet the rising demand for Data Protection Officers (DPOs) across industries.
According to the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, fewer than 5,000 certified DPOs currently serve over 500,000 data controllers nationwide. The YDPAT program is designed to fill this gap, offering training, certification pathways, and access to job opportunities in the growing data protection sector.
"This is not just training—it's a pipeline for youth employment in a tech-driven world," said Olawande. He added that the initiative supports compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023 and builds awareness of global privacy standards.
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The programme is a collaboration between the Ministry of Youth Development and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC). The NDPC has also partnered with local institutions to offer globally recognised certifications, reducing the sector's dependency on foreign training providers.
The online YDPAT platform, launched at the event, provides access to courses, resources, and certification tracks tailored for youth. It is expected to drive inclusion, digital literacy, and job-readiness among Nigeria's young workforce.
The initiative has received strong backing from the Presidency, the National Assembly, and civil society groups. Stakeholders believe it will contribute significantly to youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and national digital security.
