By Mustapha Salisu
Kano State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo, has called for stronger data protection measures as the state expands its digital transformation initiatives.
Garo made the call on Wednesday while representing Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf at a data governance workshop for state governments in Abuja.
He said digital innovation must go hand in hand with privacy, accountability and security, stressing that technology should improve government services without compromising citizens’ fundamental rights.
“Data has become one of the most valuable resources in modern governance,” Garo said, noting that government handles sensitive personal information across sectors including education, healthcare, taxation, employment, security and social protection.
The Deputy Governor said the Kano State Government was committed to strengthening its institutional structures, policies and practices to ensure that citizens’ data entrusted to government was adequately protected.
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He described data protection as a collective responsibility involving political leaders, Permanent Secretaries, heads of MDAs, technology professionals, legal officers, data protection officers and other public servants who handle citizens’ information.
Garo urged participants to focus on practical measures such as staff training, data security, access control, proper data retention, breach management and responsible information sharing.
Garo assured the organisers of Kano’s continued collaboration in promoting responsible data governance, expressing confidence that the workshop would strengthen states’ capacity to protect personal information and improve public service delivery.
CLOCKWISE reports that, the workshop, a joint initiative of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, focused on implementing the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and the General Application and Implementation Directive 2025 for state governments.
