Navigating Data Governance: A Must-Know for Every Professional
We are proud to spotlight our very own Amanda Eke, who recently represented Tech Dynasty Services (TDS) at the Youth of Enterprise Masterclass hosted by Enterprise NGR. Her presentation, titled “Data Literacy for Rising Professionals”, explored the essential skills and practices that every modern professional must adopt to thrive in a data-driven world.
Amanda expanded on the critical role of data governance, especially within the Nigerian context. She stressed that data governance and compliance are responsibilities for every professional who handles data—regardless of role or industry.
Key insights from her session included:
Compliance with the Nigerian Data Protection Act (NDPA):
The NDPA is now mandatory, and every professional should understand it to ensure compliance in their data practices. Failure to comply can lead to hefty fines and reputational damage.
Protecting Sensitive Information:
Particularly in departments like HR, applying data governance frameworks is crucial to protect sensitive employee information and prevent risks such as identity theft.
Data Retention Policies:
Organizations must implement clear data retention policies to manage the full lifecycle of data, ensuring sensitive information is not retained longer than necessary or legally allowed.
Building Trust Through Clean Data:
A lack of proper data governance leads to outdated or inconsistent data, wasted time, and diminished productivity. Amanda highlighted that clean, accurate data is essential for building trust and supporting executive-level decision-making.
Practical advice for professionals and organizations:
Start Small, Prioritize Big:
Begin your data governance program by focusing on your most critical business data. For example, in the financial sector, loan information is a sensitive and essential starting point. Prioritize fixing errors in numerical values before expanding to other areas.
Delegate and Train Data Stewards:
Assign roles within your organization to improve governance and train individuals to become data stewards—those responsible for managing data according to agreed standards.
Document Your Data:
You don’t need expensive tools to get started. Begin with Excel to document your core data elements and ensure consistent definitions for terms like “customer name” across all databases to prevent confusion.
Leverage AI Tools:
Tools like ChatGPT can assist in drafting policies, documentation, and training materials, helping teams accelerate their governance journey without being overwhelmed.
Collaborate and Take Initiative:
Don’t wait for top-down directives. Professionals are encouraged to take initiative, draft documentation, and work collaboratively with colleagues who understand the business context to improve data quality and compliance.
Why this matters:
As Amanda concluded, data and its usage have come to stay. In today’s dynamic business landscape, understanding the intricacies of data governance and literacy ensures that professionals not only remain compliant but also competitive. At Tech Dynasty Services, we are committed to equipping young professionals and organizations with the tools, knowledge, and guidance needed to thrive in a data-first economy.
Amanda’s session was held on Friday, 30th May at 12:00 noon WAT as part of the Youth of Enterprise Masterclass series. Her contribution underscores our dedication at Tech Dynasty Services to empowering the next generation of data-savvy professionals.
Let’s continue building a future where data drives clarity, trust, and transformation across every industry.
