Lagos: The Vice-Chancellor of Trinity University, Prof. Clement Kolawole, has emphasized the crucial role that universities must play in embedding data privacy and protection within their governance, research, and teaching frameworks. Speaking at a seminar organized in collaboration with Data Pulse Nigeria Ltd. at the university’s City Campus in Lagos, Kolawole highlighted the importance of universities leading the charge in safeguarding students and maintaining public trust.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the seminar, themed ‘Privacy in the Age of Emerging Technologies: Trust, Ethics and Innovation,’ served as a platform for Kolawole to outline the vast amounts of sensitive data managed by tertiary institutions. This includes students’ academic records, health information, biometric details, research data, and staff records. He stressed that the education sector must not fall behind in complying with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023.
Kolawole pointed out the recent 21-day compliance ultimatum issued by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to over 1,300 organizations, including 649 tertiary institutions, highlighting the urgency for universities to institutionalize data protection frameworks. He stated, “Universities are centers of innovation and digital transformation. As we adopt emerging technologies for teaching, learning, and research, we must ensure that privacy is not treated as an afterthought but as a foundational principle.”
He further emphasized that data protection should be seen as central to safeguarding the dignity of students and staff, as well as preserving the integrity of academic systems. Beyond regulatory compliance, Kolawole advocated for the integration of data ethics into curricula, research protocols, and administrative processes. He underscored the importance of fostering digital responsibility among students to prepare them for a future where data governance and ethical technology use are critical competencies.
In addition to Kolawole’s insights, Dr. Adedoyin Talabi, Guest Speaker and Principal Consultant at Data Pulse Nigeria Limited, delivered a keynote presentation. Talabi noted that academic institutions operate as complex data ecosystems, processing more personal information than many commercial organizations. He warned that the increased deployment of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), learning management systems, and biometric verification tools has heightened exposure to cyber risks within schools.
Talabi called for an ethical approach to digital transformation in the education sector, emphasizing that innovation must be balanced with transparency, accountability, and respect for fundamental rights. He stated, “For universities to remain globally competitive and trusted, they must move from seeing privacy as a policy document to embracing it as a culture embedded in everyday academic and administrative practices.” He also outlined practical compliance frameworks tailored for students, faculty, and administrators to enhance institutional accountability and legal adherence.