In a major step toward digital empowerment and youth development, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has launched the Youth Data Protection Awareness and Training programme, known as YDPAT. The initiative aims to train over one million Nigerian youths in data privacy, compliance, and digital protection skills.
The programme, a collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, was unveiled at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja. It is designed to equip young Nigerians with knowledge of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, breach response techniques, compliance monitoring, and practical digital skills needed in today’s data driven economy.
YDPAT offers both virtual and in-person training with a youth friendly learning portal that issues certificates upon completion. With Nigeria currently having fewer than 5,000 certified data protection officers and over 500,000 data controllers and processors across sectors, the programme is strategically designed to fill this human capacity gap while also creating employment opportunities.
This youth focused initiative aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises capacity building, job creation, and digital inclusion. It represents a forward looking policy that not only prepares the next generation for the demands of a data governed world but also positions Nigeria to become a continental leader in data compliance and privacy protection.
By investing in a privacy first generation, the Tinubu administration is building a resilient digital economy and ensuring Nigerian youth are not left behind in the global data revolution.
