The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), in collaboration with the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), Port Harcourt Chapter, has launched a digital privacy awareness campaign in Rivers State to equip students with the knowledge and practical skills needed to protect their personal information and navigate the digital space safely.
The campaign commenced on Friday, July 3, 2026, at Rivers State University and is expected to extend to tertiary institutions across the South-South and South-East. The initiative is themed, “Securing Your Digital Identity: Understanding Privacy, Rights and Opportunities.”
Speaking at the launch, ISACA Port Harcourt Chapter President, Lauretta Davies-Dimkpa, described digital identity as one of the most valuable assets in today’s connected world, urging students to be intentional about protecting their personal information because every online activity contributes to their digital footprint.
She said while technology has created opportunities for learning, communication and innovation, it has also exposed users to cyber threats such as identity theft, phishing attacks, cyber fraud, misinformation, cyberbullying and privacy breaches, making digital safety an essential life skill.
The National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the NDPC, Vincent Olatunji, represented by Agboola Timilehin of the commission’s Research, Development and Innovation Department, said the campaign is expected to reach one million young Nigerians by 2027 while establishing sustainable privacy awareness structures across campuses.
Olatunji said the commission has established 17 Data Privacy Clubs across universities in the country’s six geopolitical zones, while the Data Privacy Ambassador Programme has grown to more than 2,000 student ambassadors across 85 tertiary institutions nationwide.
He described the partnership between the NDPC and ISACA Port Harcourt Chapter as a strategic effort to deepen awareness of privacy, cybersecurity, digital trust and career opportunities for students in the digital economy.
The programme featured presentations on digital privacy, personal data protection, cyber hygiene, online safety and emerging cybersecurity trends, alongside interactive sessions where experts provided practical guidance on protecting personal information and identifying online scams.
The campaign will continue in selected tertiary institutions across the South-South and South-East as the NDPC and ISACA seek to strengthen digital privacy awareness and promote responsible digital citizenship among students.
