The Bauchi State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to eliminate ‘ghost workers’ from its payroll and strengthen the protection of public sector data.
The agreement, formalised on Tuesday in Bauchi, is part of an initiative to boost transparency, accountability, and public trust in governance. According to Governor Bala Mohammed, the partnership will overhaul the workers’ database, curb the inflation of staff records, and improve service delivery.
“This is a decisive step towards transparency and efficiency in public service, while preventing data manipulation,” Mohammed stated, adding that the move would set a benchmark for accountable governance in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.
Represented by the Head of Legal, Enforcement, and Regulations, Mr. Babatunde Bamibogboye, the NDPC’s National Commissioner/CEO, Dr Vincent Olatunji, explained that the collaboration would align Bauchi’s data systems with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023. The initiative aims to strengthen privacy policies and build the capacity of public officials for responsible data management.
Olatunji stressed that public awareness and cooperation between national and state governments are crucial for protecting every Nigerian’s data and safeguarding the country’s socio-economic heritage.
