PalmPay, FG to launch data protection training for 1 million Nigerian youths

L-r: Mr Chiek Toure - Country Representative UNODC Nigeria, Mr Chika Nwosu- CEO Palmpay, Sharon DimancheI - Cheif of Mission International Organization for Migration (IOM), Dr Vincent Olatunji - National Commissioner NDPC, Ms Hadiza Bala Usman - Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Cordination, Ayodele Olawande - Hon. Minister of Youth Development, Hon Stanley Adedeji Olajide - Chairman House Committee on Information and technology.

PalmPay, a fintech platform in Nigeria, has deepened its commitment to data privacy and youth empowerment by partnering with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to launch the Youth Data Protection Awareness and Training (YDPAT) Program.

The initiative, unveiled at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, aims to equip over one million Nigerian youths with vital digital skills and data protection awareness over three years

The YDPAT program is designed to empower young Nigerians to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly. With over 70 percent of Nigeria’s population comprising youths, the program is seen as a major step toward fostering a more secure, informed, and innovation-driven digital ecosystem.

Speaking at the launch, the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, commended PalmPay for supporting the actualisation of the program. He described YDPAT as a “bold step toward building a digitally literate and security-conscious generation.”

“This is about building a privacy-first generation—one that is inclusive, future-facing, and globally competitive,” the minister said. He also highlighted the low level of public awareness surrounding the Nigerian Data Protection Act (NDPA), 2023, and expressed concern over the limited number of certified Data Protection Officers (DPOs) despite the presence of over 500,000 data controllers across the country.

Chika Nwosu, PalmPay’s managing director, reinforced the company’s dedication to data privacy, stating that “data protection is as important as innovation in tech.” He noted that PalmPay embeds privacy protocols throughout its product development lifecycle to safeguard user data.

In addition to digital training, the YDPAT initiative will offer mentorship opportunities and internship placements for top-performing participants, further enhancing employability and real-world experience for young Nigerians.

PalmPay has been a frontrunner in youth-focused corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs. Previous initiatives include the Purple Woman Campaign and Passing the Baton, which have impacted thousands of youths and women in both urban and rural communities.

As part of its broader national strategy, PalmPay has already begun campaign activations in Northern Nigeria, with further rollouts planned across several states to advance digital literacy.

Chinwe Michael

Chinwe Michael is a financial inclusion advocate and economy journalist who uses compelling storytelling to drive awareness. With a background in Banking and Finance and experience across accounting, media, and education, she applies sharp analysis and attention to detail to every piece. She simplifies complex financial and economy concepts into engaging content for Africa and global audience. Chinwe also doubles as a speaker with global recognition for her expertise.