By PalmPay, one of Nigeria’s top fintech platforms, is planning to build a new generation of tech-smart youths, teaming up with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to start the Youth Data Protection Awareness and Training (YDPAT) Programme. Teaching Nigerian youths how to keep their data safe online, the goal of this partnership is to train over one million young Nigerians on digital safety and data protection within three years.
The official launch took place last week at the Shehu Musa Yar’ Adua Centre in Abuja. The program is set to give young people practical knowledge and skills to stay safe while using technology. With youths making up more than 70% of Nigeria’s population, experts say this move could go a long way to protect users and grow trust in the digital economy.
At the event, Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, praised PalmPay’s role in making the training possible. He called the programme “a bold step toward building a digitally literate and security-conscious generation.” He also pointed out that few Nigerians know about the country’s Data Protection Act of 2023 and noted a lack of certified Data Protection Officers, even though there are more than 500,000 data controllers in Nigeria.
PalmPay’s Managing Director, Chika Nwosu, spoke about the importance of privacy in today’s tech world. He stated, “For us, data protection is as essential as innovation”. He assured the public that PalmPay builds privacy protections into all its products so users’ information stays secure.
PalmPay is also adding mentorships and internships for the top students in the program. The fintech made waves recently by appearing in global rankings and has already rolled out other youth-focused projects, like the Purple Woman campaign and special initiatives to support women and youths in both rural and urban centres.
More awareness drives will start soon, especially in Northern Nigeria, as PalmPay aims to spread digital literacy across the country.
In the digital era, knowing how to protect personal data is critical, especially for young people who use fintech and online services every day. PalmPay and the government are giving Nigerian youths both the tools and the chance to shape a safer digital future, with this partnership.
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