Jobs/Appointments
Businesses Need to be Concerned About Employee Privacy as Much as Consumer Privacy
By Andrew Bourne
Of late, there have been a lot of headlines around major technology players putting customer privacy first and making data privacy one of their core values.
The business landscape is hurriedly re-orienting itself to provide the digital consumer with a safe space where their data is protected round the clock.
Meanwhile, there’s another important stakeholder whose privacy equally matters. Employees have just as much right to privacy in the workplace.
Recent trends like remote working and hybrid models have heightened the importance of employee privacy
Forced to switch overnight to remote work, organisations turned to digital collaboration and productivity tools to enable their workforce to continue their day-to-day operations. With little to no time to vet third-party vendors, organisations had to purchase and implement technology quickly or use free applications without weighing vulnerabilities.
But this hasty transition was not without its risks, especially for employees. For instance, the steep rise in user base for video conferencing tools caught the hackers’ attention and live meetings were invaded in some cases.
Moreover, audio/video calls while working from home means that varied details of employees’ personal lives are archived in vendors’ data records, at risk of being compromised unless the vendor has a stringent data protection program.
Many companies introducing remote monitoring software when their employees began working from home also raised a lot of privacy concerns.
According to Gartner, more than one out of four companies purchased technology during the pandemic to passively track and monitor their employees.
Another area where the delicate balance between privacy and necessity worried employees was the interim health data collection (like vaccination proof, medical records, household surveys, status updates, etc.) carried out to ensure a safe return to the office.
Workers want their employers to be transparent and upfront with their data practices
Employee data collection is not new. Employers have been long studying workplace patterns, engagement survey responses, and team dynamics to foster a productive work environment.
Employees are usually willing to work together with their employer on this, provided the data gathered directly serves an internal business goal as well as the latter inform beforehand about what the data will be used for, how it will be stored, and who will have access to it. The same goes for employee monitoring. A 2018 Gartner study reported that more than 50% of the respondents were comfortable with monitoring on grounds of valid reasons from the employer.
To put things in perspective, employees willingly trust employers to keep their data safe and use it responsibly. But this trust is broken when employers keep employees in the dark about what purpose their data serves or cross a line with tracking by going to lengths like uninformed surveillance or camera monitoring. The moment employees feel their employer is invading their privacy, it will reflect in the organisation’s attrition rate.
Shaky legal ground
Businesses may also be placing themselves on a shaky legal ground when it comes to employee privacy. In terms of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), employers have to make employees aware that their productivity and performance is being monitored and should provide reasons for doing so. The Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Act (RICA), meanwhile, restricts the interception of communication except under very specific circumstances.
Businesses may also be placing themselves on a shaky legal ground when it comes to employee privacy. In terms of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) employers are required to display a simple and conspicuous policy regarding personal information data. To avoid any legal complications, employers should obtain employees’ consent as well as buy-in before implementing monitoring tools.
Rather than trying to evade these legal minefields, employers should look to build trust between themselves and employees, and build a safe and compliant environment where privacy is assured.
Commitment from the top
Ultimately, employee privacy is as much a leadership prerogative as anything else. It requires organisational commitment on an ongoing basis. Employee data, like customer data, is of critical importance and warrants the same level of protective measures like robust encryption both at rest and in transit, clear data handling statements, and informed consent. In the case of third-party services, the safe choice for businesses is to work with vendors who espouse an ethical approach to data privacy protection, are compliant with local regulations, and would never monetize data.
When privacy is assured, the trust relationship grows stronger. You build more loyal employees who are willing to go the extra mile for customers, ultimately resulting in a positive impact on your bottom line. As such, employee privacy shouldn’t be treated as a feature but as a non-negotiable given.
Andrew Bourne is the Regional Manager – MEA, Zoho Corporation
By Adedapo Adesanya
MultiChoice Nigeria has announced a change in its leadership, with Ms Kemi Omotosho emerging as the new chief executive, taking over from Mr John Ugbe, who is set to retire.
The company said the transition, effective this month, follows a structured succession process designed to ensure continuity in leadership and operations.
Mr Ugbe is stepping down after nearly 15 years in the role, a period during which MultiChoice Nigeria navigated shifts in consumer behaviour, technology and regulation within the pay-TV and broader media industry.
Last year, French group Canal+ took over the operations of the South-African broadcasting group and effected some changes management- and content-wise across key markets.
During his tenure, Mr Ugbe oversaw efforts to strengthen the company’s operational framework and position the business to respond to changing market conditions. MultiChoice described his exit as a planned retirement rather than a sudden departure.
Ms Omotosho joins the role with more than two decades of leadership experience spanning media, telecommunications and digital services across Nigeria and other Sub-Saharan African markets.
Within the MultiChoice Group, she has previously served as Executive Head of Customer Value Management in Nigeria and later as Group Executive Head of Customer Value Management for Rest of Africa, a role that involved oversight across more than 50 markets.
She most recently held the position of Regional Director for Southern Africa, where she had full profit and loss responsibility for operations covering seven countries. In her new role, Ms Omotosho will be responsible for overseeing MultiChoice Nigeria’s strategy, day-to-day operations and engagement with regulators, partners and other stakeholders.
Speaking on her appointment, Ms Omotosho said, “It is a privilege to be entrusted with the leadership of MultiChoice Nigeria at this important moment.
“Nigeria remains one of the Group’s most strategic and dynamic markets. I look forward to working with our teams and partners to deepen our relationship with consumers, champion local storytelling and the creative economy as well build a future-ready organisation that delivers sustainable value.”
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The board of Presco Plc has appointed Mr Adewale Arikawe as a non-executive director, replacing Mr Felix Nwabuko, retired from the position.
A statement from the organisation disclosed that the appointment of Arikawa took effect from Friday, January 2, 2026, until the next Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Also, he is now the chief executive of all SIAT subsidiaries, including Presco Plc, SIAT Nigeria Limited, and Ghana Oil Palm Development Company Limited.
In this capacity, Mr Arikawe will work alongside the existing leadership teams to strengthen execution, accelerate strategic growth, and foster a high-performance culture across the Group.
He is committed to empowering teams, enhancing leadership capability, and creating an enabling environment for continuous improvement and sustainable results.
Mr Arikawe brings over 26 years of leadership experience spanning across general management, commercial strategy, sales, customer development, and brand management. He has held senior leadership roles at Royal FrieslandCampina, overseeing operations across Sub-Saharan Africa, and at FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria.
His career also includes senior leadership positions at Nestlé Nigeria Plc, where he managed multi-channel sales operations and contributed to key strategic growth initiatives.
He holds an MBA in Business Administration and Management from the University of Chichester and has completed executive education programmes at London Business School and IMD (International Institute for Management Development), Lausanne, Switzerland, with a focus on leadership, execution excellence, and business impact.
The board, in the statement, welcomed Mr Arikawe with open arms, looking “forward to his valuable contributions to the company and the wider SIAT Group.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
First Holdco Plc, formerly FBN Holdings Plc, has announced new board appointments across its non-commercial banking subsidiaries as it commits to building stronger businesses across board.
The move, following regulatory approvals from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), is part of efforts to deepen governance, strengthen oversight and position the business for sustainable growth.
FBN Holdings Plc rebranded to First HoldCo Plc in February 2025 to reflect its broader financial services focus beyond just banking.
Its services includes commercial banking (First Bank of Nigeria), merchant banking, asset management (FBNQuest), insurance brokerage, and trusteeship. It operates across Africa and has global offices in London, Paris, and Beijing, serving individuals, small businesses, and corporations.
At First Asset Management Limited, Mrs Ebikabo Williams has been appointed chairman of the board, bringing her extensive industry knowledge spanning banking, capital markets, and consulting. She will be supported by equally experienced board members like Mr Usman Dantata Jr., Mrs Binta Max Gbinije, and Mrs Alero Mobola Adollo.
At FirstCap Limited, its investment management firm, Mrs Yewande Amusan has been appointed chairman. She is an accomplished finance professional with experience cutting across both public and private sectors. Mr Ahmed Indimi and Mrs Irene Akpofure were appointed along with Mrs Adenike Kuti and Mr Zeal Akaraiwe.
First Securities Brokers Limited, which recently emerged as the top performer in the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Brokers Performance Report in terms of both trading volume and transaction value, has named Mr John Akpeki as chairman. He is expected to leverage his vast experience in global marketing and networking. He is joined by Mrs Omolara Adeyemi, ,Mrs Susan Younis and Mrs Kemi Andu-Alausa.
Similarly, First Trustees Limited, one of the Group’s long-standing subsidiaries in trust and estate management, has strengthened its governance structure with the appointment of Mr John Lee as its chairman. He has over 40 years’ experience in global financial services, specialising in Corporate & Institutional Banking and Wealth Management across Africa. The other members of the board who are bringing their combined rich wealth of experience are Mrs Abiola Alabi, Mrs Adebisi Sola-Adeyemi, and Mrs Ugochukwu Obi-Chukwu.
For its insurance business, First Insurance Brokers, the firm has appointed Mr Akinola Phillips as Chairman. He is joined by Mrs Ije Onejeme, Mrs Folukemi Akinmeji and Mrs Mojisola Cardozo.
First Holdco said these appointments are expected to further consolidate the firm’s position as a dominant player in the asset and wealth management space in Nigeria.
The chairman of First Holdco, Mr Femi Otedola, while commenting on the appointments, said, “We are delighted to welcome these distinguished professionals to the boards of our non-commercial banking subsidiaries. Their proven expertise, impeccable track records, and leadership will play a critical role in shaping the next phase of our growth, enhancing stakeholder value, and reinforcing our position as a trusted African leader delivering innovative solutions across diverse sectors.”
“These appointments reaffirm our commitment to building resilient businesses that contribute meaningfully to economic development in the broader ecosystem in which we operate,” he added.
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