As nations and individuals navigate an increasingly data-driven world, the fundamental rights to privacy and protection have become pillars of modern sovereignty and human dignity. On the occasion leading into World Data Privacy Day, the clarion call from civil society is not just a reminder but a strategic imperative for national survival and prosperity.
In a recent address, Mr. Tokunbo Smith, President of the Data & Knowledge Information Privacy Protection Initiative (DKIPPI), framed data privacy not as a technical compliance issue, but as the bedrock of national security, economic resilience, and democratic integrity. His warning underscores a global reality: data is the new currency of power, and its mismanagement is a direct threat to a nation’s stability.
Beyond Compliance: Data Protection as a National Security and Economic Imperative
Smith’s analysis moves past generic warnings to articulate a clear cause-and-effect relationship. A weak data protection framework isn’t merely an IT vulnerability; it’s an open invitation to systemic risks:
- Cybercrime & Espionage: Unprotected citizen and government databases are low-hanging fruit for hostile actors, enabling everything from financial fraud to state-sponsored espionage and digital terrorism.
- Erosion of Democracy: The weaponization of personal data for micro-targeting, disinformation campaigns, and voter manipulation poses an existential threat to free and fair elections and public discourse.
- Economic Stagnation: Conversely, robust data protection laws serve as a key market signal to international investors. Sectors like fintech, health technology, and the creative economy—which rely heavily on cross-border data flows and user trust—are far more likely to invest in jurisdictions with clear, enforceable privacy rules. Nigeria’s enactment of the Data Protection Act in 2023 is a foundational step in this economic repositioning.
The Human Rights Foundation: From Convention 108 to Citizen Empowerment
The discourse rightly roots modern data protection in Convention 108 (1981), the Council of Europe’s pioneering treaty. This is crucial context, as it establishes that privacy is a longstanding, internationally recognized human right, not a novel concept born of the internet. The core principles—lawful & fair processing, purpose limitation, data minimization, and individual rights to access and rectification—are derived from this framework.
Smith emphasizes that true protection requires a cultural shift, not just legislation. Citizens must transition from being passive “data subjects” to informed “data rights holders.” This is where DKIPPI’s planned initiatives, like the “My Data, My Right” school programs and community storytelling about data misuse, become vital. They translate legal jargon into relatable narratives, empowering individuals to ask, “Who has my data, and what are they doing with it?”
The Path Forward: Building a Rights-Respecting Digital Ecosystem
The call to action for media and civil society highlights a critical gap: grassroots oversight and education. Laws like the Nigeria Data Protection Act provide the skeleton, but flesh and blood come from an engaged populace and watchdog organizations. Professional training for Data Protection Officers ensures there are skilled custodians within organizations, while media scrutiny holds both public and private sectors accountable.
World Data Privacy Day (January 28) is, therefore, more than a symbolic date. It is a global checkpoint. As DKIPPI launches its 2026 Data Privacy and Protection Month—with outreach, awards, and training—the goal is crystallized: to forge a digital future where innovation and economic growth are inextricably linked to the respect for fundamental human rights. In this era, a nation’s strength is measured not only by its data wealth but by its commitment to protecting it.
Edited for depth and context to serve as a comprehensive resource on the strategic importance of data privacy.
