Kano State Deputy Governor, Murtala Sule Garo, has called for stronger data protection measures in government institutions to safeguard citizens’ personal information and sustain public confidence in government services.
Garo made the call on Thursday while representing Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf at a Data Privacy Implementation Workshop for States organised by the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) in partnership with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
The workshop was designed to assist state governments in translating the provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act into practical systems and procedures across government institutions.
The Deputy Governor said the increasing use of citizens’ personal information in the delivery of public services had made data protection an important responsibility for state governments.
He noted that government institutions handled large volumes of sensitive information in sectors including education, healthcare, social protection, taxation, civil registration, employment, security and digital government.
According to him, protecting such information should not be viewed merely as a regulatory obligation, but as a responsibility tied to the confidence citizens place in public institutions.
Garo said the issue was particularly important to Kano State as the government continued to expand the use of digital systems and services.
He stressed the need for data protection to be integrated into government operations, including institutional policies and the day-to-day decisions of officials who have access to citizens’ personal information.
The Deputy Governor also noted that political leaders, permanent secretaries, heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), information technology professionals, legal officers, data protection officers and other public servants all had roles to play in protecting personal data in their custody.
He identified staff training, data security, access controls, data retention, breach management and responsible information sharing as areas requiring greater understanding and improved procedures.
Garo further stressed the need to strike a balance between technological innovation and privacy as governments increasingly adopt digital platforms for service delivery.
He said digital systems should improve the efficiency and accessibility of public services without exposing citizens’ personal information to unnecessary risks or undermining their fundamental rights.
The Kano State Government welcomed the initiative by the NGF and NDPC, saying the workshop provided an opportunity for states to examine practical challenges associated with implementing the Nigeria Data Protection Act and share workable approaches.
The workshop is expected to provide states with practical guidance to strengthen data protection practices, improve the security of public information and enhance citizens’ confidence in the way government institutions handle their personal data.
