The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has organized a training programme for its staff in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as part of efforts to improve data protection and prevent unauthorized access to sensitive voter information.
The one-day workshop, held on Saturday at the INEC Conference Hall in Abuja, brought together officials responsible for managing voter records and other official data. The training focused on data protection laws, compliance requirements and proper handling of confidential information.
The programme comes amid concerns over the security of voter data following allegations that confidential registration details belonging to Nollywood actor and National Democratic Coalition (NDC) House of Representatives aspirant, Emeka Ike, were accessed through the commission’s portal and later circulated without approval.
The controversy emerged after Ike’s voter registration information appeared online shortly after he announced his intention to contest for a seat in the National Assembly. Reports alleged that the information was obtained from INEC’s restricted Continuous Voter Registration database using authorized staff credentials.
Addressing participants at the workshop, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for the FCT, represented by Administrative Secretary Bimbo Oladunjoye, said the training was designed to keep staff updated on data protection regulations and the consequences of violating them.
She urged the officials to make use of the opportunity to strengthen their understanding of data management and maintain professionalism, accountability and integrity while handling public records.
The training was facilitated by data protection specialist Anthony Abodunrin Oni, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Human Resources Management. During the session, participants received guidance on data protection rights, key principles of information security and best practices for handling official records.
INEC said the workshop also examined provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and other legal obligations related to the collection, storage and processing of personal information.
Through practical exercises and case studies, attendees reviewed situations involving voter register management and the handling of sensitive documents.
Discussions focused on the legal and ethical responsibilities attached to managing confidential data and the risks that could arise from negligence.
Participants were also exposed to common threats such as unauthorized access, data leaks, poor record storage and improper disposal of official documents. The training further covered password security, access control systems, secure filing procedures and the need for prompt reporting whenever a data breach occurs.
The exercise forms part of INEC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen internal controls and ensure that voter information and official records remain protected from misuse or unauthorized disclosure.