The Federal Ministry of Youth Development says a total of 58,820 young Nigerians from all six geopolitical zones have registered for the Youth Data Protection Awareness & Training (YDPAT) programme, underscoring strong nationwide interest in digital awareness and data protection.
The initiative, implemented by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) in partnership with the Globe Takers Foundation, closed its 53-day registration window in the first week of September 2025.
The overwhelming response, the organisers say, signals a growing appetite among young Nigerians to strengthen their knowledge of data protection, digital skills, and personal development.
Nigeria witnessing data protection awareness, Minister says
Ayodele Olawande, Minister of Youth Development, welcomes the turnout, describing it as evidence of the enthusiasm of young people towards nation building. He assures that all registrants would benefit from broader youth development programmes spearheaded by the Ministry.
Training is scheduled to begin with an initial cohort of 5,000 participants, selected through what the Ministry says will be a fair and representative process. “The remaining registrants will still be engaged through other relevant programmes of the Ministry so that no youth is left out,” Olawande adds.
The YDPAT training will be delivered in a hybrid model, combining online and physical sessions to ensure nationwide access. The Ministry says virtual sessions will commence in November, followed by physical classes in December 2025.
As the programme enters its training phase, the Youth Development Minister calls on development partners, private sector stakeholders, and state governments to join hands in expanding its reach.
“With collective effort,” Olawande adds, “the reach and impact of this programme can be significantly expanded, allowing even more young Nigerians to benefit from digital inclusion and data literacy.”
The Ministry says the long-term ambition of YDPAT is to raise a digitally empowered generation of Nigerians, equipped to safeguard their rights in the digital era and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s data-driven economy.
