INEC trains staff on data protection and compliance

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) conducted a one‑day training session for its staff on data protection and compliance. The workshop, held on Saturday at the INEC FCT Conference Hall, aimed to strengthen the security of voter information and official documents.

Resident Electoral Commissioner for the FCT, represented by Administrative Secretary Mrs. Bimbo Oladunjoye, explained that the training was designed to update staff on data protection laws and the legal consequences of data breaches.

The initiative follows an incident in which confidential voter information belonging to Nollywood actor Emeka Ike, a House of Representatives aspirant for the National Democratic Coalition (NDC), was reportedly accessed on INEC’s portal using valid staff credentials and released without authorization. DAILY POST reported that the unauthorized access involved the Commission’s Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) database and was linked to Lere Olayinka, a media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Oladunjoye encouraged participants to use the programme to enhance their skills and to uphold integrity and accountability in the management of public data.

The training was led by data protection expert Mr. Anthony Abodunrin Oni, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Human Resources Management. According to INEC, the workshop covered data protection rights, core principles, and practical guidelines for handling official information. Participants were also briefed on the provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and other compliance obligations.

Through group exercises and case studies on voter register management and the handling of sensitive documents, attendees examined their legal and ethical responsibilities related to data security. The workshop highlighted risks such as unauthorised access, data leakage, and improper storage or disposal of official materials. Oni also stressed the importance of password management, access control measures, secure filing systems, and the prompt reporting of data breaches.