By Chioma James
In a decisive move to strengthen digital safety within Nigeria’s media space, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has sealed a strategic partnership with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to protect journalists from the escalating cyber threats and data breaches.
The landmark pact was formalized during a high-level courtesy visit on Wednesday, when the NUJ delegation, led by its Chairman, Grace Ike, met with the leadership of the Commission in Abuja.
At the heart of the engagement was a request for institutional support in training journalists on data protection principles, ethical data handling, and digital security practices necessary for modern news gathering.
Speaking during the visit, Ike emphasized that data has become one of the most powerful forces shaping governance, public opinion, and democratic processes in the digital age.
She noted that journalists operate at the critical intersection of information and public trust, handling vast amounts of personal, institutional, and sometimes classified data on a daily basis.
According to her, the rapidly evolving digital ecosystem has exposed media professionals to sophisticated cyber-attacks, intrusive surveillance, identity theft risks, and the viral spread of misinformation.
Ike described the visit as strategic, stressing that journalists must be equipped with practical skills to prevent digital breaches, protect confidential sources, and secure newsroom infrastructure from cyber infiltration.
She warned that a journalist lacking data protection knowledge in today’s environment becomes vulnerable, and such vulnerability can ultimately weaken democratic accountability.
“The media must not only report on data protection compliance; we must embody it,” she declared, adding that responsible journalism now requires both editorial competence and technological awareness.
The NUJ Chairman further stated that the partnership would help journalists better understand Nigeria’s data governance framework while ensuring that investigative reporting does not inadvertently violate privacy rights.
In his response, the National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the NDPC, Vincent Olatunji, commended the FCT Council for its proactive approach to safeguarding the profession and Practitioners.
Olatunji observed that awareness creation remains central to the Commission’s mandate and noted previous engagements with journalists across major cities to promote compliance and capacity building.
He also highlighted that the media can play a pivotal role in educating the public about data protection while opening new career pathways within Nigeria’s growing privacy and cybersecurity ecosystem.
As part of the collaboration, the NDPC pledged to organize a one-day induction training for NUJ FCT members and provide complimentary access to its Virtual Privacy Academy, including certification opportunities.
Olatunji revealed that the Commission has made significant strides since its establishment, generating substantial revenue, engaging international partners, and expanding national awareness programmes on privacy protection.
Both institutions expressed optimism that the partnership would produce a new generation of digitally resilient journalists, strengthen data governance in the media sector, and contribute to building a safer, more accountable information environment in Nigeria.