IIM Africa kicks off 2022 nationwide Data Protection Awareness Campaign tomorrow

The Institute of Information Management (IIM) Africa and the Records and Information Management Awareness (RIMA) Foundation, will by tomorrow Tuesday. 26^th of July kicks off the 2022 National Digital Transformation and Data Protection Awareness Campaign nationwide.

The 2022 Awareness Campaign which is endorsed and supported by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) and the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB), is intended to educate and provide technical and non-technical information/support required for the successful implementation of files and document digitization.

It will also provide knowledge and bridge skills gaps, with guidelines & standards for digitization and ultimate implementation of Enterprise Content Management (ECM) solution.

Speaking on the campaign, Dr. Oyedokun Oyewole, President/Chairman-GC, Institute of Information Management (IIM) Africa, stated that the awareness campaign will also provide participating organisations insight into how to develop a comprehensive corporate information governance program, plans, and processes, highlighting a coherent framework to describe and validate imaging performance and quality, based on existing international best practices and standards.

“Finally, the initiative will enable and empower organizations (public and private) in Nigeria on how to effectively comply and remain compliant with the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR), as interested organisations are invited to participate/benefit from the annual pro bono CSR initiative.

The National Awareness Campaign debuted in 2020 following the directive issued by the Head of Service of the Federation, directing MDAs to automate their files and records. The 2022 edition will also be featuring a Data Protection awareness program, occasioned by the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) issued by the National Information Development Agency (NITDA) on 25th January 2019 with effect from 25^th April 2019, which is now being implemented and enforced by the newly established Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB).

The regulation requires that any organisation dealing with or keeping data of Nigerian Citizens is expected to comply with the NDPR. Failure could result in financial loss, damage to reputations, or imprisonment. As penalty attracts up to N10 million or 2% of the company’s annual global gross revenue of the preceding year; whichever is higher.