Thursday 29th October 2026
The Administrator of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Hon. Justice B.A. Adejumo, OFR, has called on judicial officers to strengthen their understanding of data protection laws and emerging digital technologies to safeguard citizens’ privacy and promote public trust in government institutions.
Justice Adejumo made the call on Thursday, October 29, 2026, while delivering his welcome address at the opening ceremony of the NJI-Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) Capacity Building Workshop for Judicial Officers on Data Protection, held at the Mohammed Bello Centre of the Institute in Abuja.
He described data as a valuable resource essential to governance and economic development but warned that its misuse by unlawful actors poses serious threats to national security, institutional stability and public confidence.
The NJI Administrator stressed that the Judiciary has a critical role in protecting data privacy rights, resolving disputes arising from data breaches, determining liability and balancing individual privacy with the public interest.
He highlighted the importance of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, urging judicial officers to familiarise themselves with its provisions and international best practices to enhance the effective adjudication of data protection cases.
According to him, the workshop would expose participants to comparative approaches adopted by advanced data governance jurisdictions, providing insights that could support the interpretation of Nigerian laws and identify opportunities for legal reforms and innovation.
Justice Adejumo further emphasised the need for judicial officers to remain abreast of technological developments that continue to shape data protection and create new legal challenges.
He called for stronger collaboration among government ministries, departments and agencies, noting that effective data protection requires collective responsibility beyond the regulatory mandate of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission.
The Administrator expressed appreciation to the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the NJI Board of Governors, Hon. Justice K.M.O. Kekere-Ekun, GCON, FNJI, for approving the workshop. He also acknowledged the contributions of the Board’s Education Committee, chaired by Hon. Justice John Inyang Okoro, CFR, JSC, and the National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, for their support and collaboration.
Justice Adejumo also commended the facilitators and resource persons for contributing their expertise to the capacity-building initiative, expressing confidence that the workshop would strengthen judicial officers’ capacity to address emerging data protection issues effectively.
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