The National Commissioner and Ceo of the Nigeria Data Security Commission (NDPC), Vincent Olatunji, has called for robust personal privacy safeguards to secure students’ individual data following the launch of the Digitalised Nigeria Education Management Information System (DNEMIS).
Dr Olatunji made the call while speaking as a panellist at the main launch of DNEMIS, organised by the Federal Ministry of Education, throughout a session entitled “Data-driven Education Planning and Management as Parts of National Preparation.”
He commended the ministry for presenting the digital platform however worried the requirement for strong technical and organisational steps to ensure the security and personal privacy of students’ individual information.
According to him, the platform ought to adopt the concepts of “Personal privacy by Style,” consisting of a comprehensive privacy policy, file encryption, openness, information minimisation, and end-to-end security, to build users’ trust while ensuring accurate and safe and secure education data.
Dr Olatunji likewise reaffirmed the NDPC’s dedication to supporting the Federal Ministry of Education in aligning the effort with worldwide data defense requirements and best practices.
Speaking at the occasion, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, acknowledged the importance of information security and privacy in the education sector and revealed the ministry’s readiness to work together with the NDPC to guarantee compliance on the newly released platform.
The minister consequently directed the DNEMIS execution group to begin engagement with the Commission.
Other panellists at the event consisted of Adeyemi Adeniran, Director of Educational Preparation, Research Study and Advancement at the Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs Obianuju Anigbogu; Vanessa Lee of UNICEF Nigeria; and a representative of Matthew Verghis.