1. NDPC Investigates 17 Data Breach Cases across Diverse Sectors The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) is the supervisory and regulatory authority for data protection in Nigeria, established under the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 (NDPA). The NDPA replaced the Nigerian Data Protection Regulations 2019 and the NDPB, which were the previous legal frameworks for data protection in Nigeria. The NDPA aims to protect the rights and privacy of data subjects, ensure compliance with data protection principles and obligations, and promote trust in the digital economy. The NDPC has the power to investigate, monitor, and enforce data protection matters, as well as issue guidance, codes of conduct, and sanctions for data breaches. In February 2024, the NDPC announced that it was actively investigating 17 major cases of data breaches across various sectors, including finance, technology, education, consulting, government, logistics, and gaming/lottery. The NDPC stated that it was committed to holding data controllers and processors accountable for their data protection responsibilities, and urged them to implement adequate security measures and policies to prevent unauthorized access, disclosure, or loss of personal data. 2. Government Announces Plan to Digitize Public Services and Protect Data According to a press conference held on January 29, 2024, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, announced that the Federal Government plans to digitize all public services to improve efficiency, transparency, and security. He said that President Bola Tinubu has given the Ministry the mandate to transform public services with technology. The Minister also emphasized the importance of data protection in a digitalized economy and said that the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) would be responsible for ensuring compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 (NDPA). The NDPA is the legal framework for data protection in Nigeria, which replaced the previous regulations in 2023. The NDPA aims to protect the rights and privacy of data subjects and promote trust in the digital economy. The Minister also urged data controllers and processors to implement adequate security measures and policies to prevent unauthorized access, disclosure, or loss of personal data. He said that the NDPC was actively investigating 17 major cases of data breaches across various sectors, including finance, technology, education, consulting, government, logistics, and gaming/lottery. 3. Tech4Dev Launches DigitalForAll Challenge with N150 Million Reward The DigitalForAll Challenge is a platform designed to reward self-development and encourage the acquisition and use of digital skills. The challenge is open to Nigerians who are 18 years or older, and who want to learn and apply digital skills in various categories such as web development, data science, graphic design, digital marketing, and more. The challenge will run for 12 weeks, starting from February 5, 2024, and will offer up to N150 million in cash and consolation prizes for the top performers in each category. The DigitalForAll Challenge is an initiative of Tech4Dev, a non-profit social enterprise that creates access to decent work and entrepreneurship opportunities for Africans through digital skills development. Tech4Dev partners with Microsoft, the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and other stakeholders to deliver the challenge and promote digital literacy and inclusion in Nigeria. Click here to read through the tech news update for last week 4. Meet the 10 Startups Selected for 4IRTA in Agriculture Grants The Fourth Industrial Revolution Technology Application (4IRTA) in Agriculture is a program initiated by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy to support market-ready innovations that leverage 4IR technologies (UAVs, IoT, AI, and Blockchain) to enhance productivity in Nigeria’s agricultural sector. The program aims to support President Bola Tinubu’s mandate to cultivate 500,000 hectares of land across Nigeria to boost food security. The Ministry announced the 10 shortlisted startups for the program on January 26, 2024, after receiving 2,329 applications and conducting two rounds of reviews. The selected startups will receive up to N10 million in funding to deepen the application of 4IR technologies in their work. The Ministry of Agriculture is expected to provide support to the selected pilot farms and navigate a path to scale and sustainability. The 10 selected startups are: Aerial Precision: It proposes a solution for smallholder maize farming utilizing drone technology throughout the maize farming cycle to collect real-time data and provide tailored recommendations. It will also use UAVs for fertilizing and applying crop protection products, aiming to address challenges such as pest outbreaks, labor scarcity, and health risks, with a focus on stakeholder engagement for widespread adoption and scalability in Nigeria’s agricultural sector. Ranch.ID LivestockPro: This is a farm management tool that utilizes loT technology and the National Animal Identification and Traceability system, providing real-time data on livestock activities, location, health, and vaccinations to enhance productivity and decision-making processes, with sophisticated devices ensuring continuous monitoring and prompt medical intervention for optimal livestock management. Agri-Wing Project: This is a drone-based solution that uses AI and computer vision to monitor and detect crop diseases, pests, and weeds, and provide timely and accurate diagnosis and treatment recommendations. It also uses UAVs for precision spraying of pesticides and herbicides, reducing costs and environmental impacts. Precision Farm Management: This is a web-based platform that uses IoT and AI to provide farmers with real-time data and insights on soil moisture, temperature, humidity, rainfall, and crop growth, and enable smart irrigation and fertilization based on crop needs and weather forecasts. It also uses blockchain technology to provide traceability and transparency of the agricultural value chain. Automated loT-Based Irrigation System: This is a solution that uses IoT sensors and actuators to monitor and control the water level and flow rate of irrigation systems, and optimize water usage and crop yield. It also uses AI and cloud computing to analyze the data and provide feedback and recommendations to the farmers. Geospatial Intelligence model for enhanced prediction of crop yield and crop stress assessment: This is a solution that uses satellite imagery and AI to estimate crop yield and detect crop stress such as drought, flood, and disease, and provide early warning and