Data
By Stellamaris Ashinze
The Vice-Chancellor, Trinity University, Prof. Clement Kolawole, says universities must take the lead in embedding data privacy and protection into their governance, research and teaching systems.
Kolawole said this on Tuesday at a seminar organised by the University in collaboration with Data Pulse Nigeria Ltd. at its City Campus in Lagos.
The seminar had the theme: “Privacy in the Age of Emerging Technologies: Trust, Ethics and Innovation.”
The vice-chancellor said that when universities lead in data privacy, they would safeguard students and sustain public trust.
He described tertiary institutions as custodians of vast amounts of sensitive data, including students’ academic records, health information, biometric details, research data and staff records.
According to him, the education sector must not lag behind in compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023.
“The recent 21-day compliance ultimatum issued by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to over 1,300 organisations, including 649 tertiary institutions, underscores the urgency for universities to institutionalise data protection frameworks.
“Universities are centres 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.
“Data protection is no longer just a regulatory obligation; it is central to safeguarding the dignity of our students and staff and preserving the integrity of our academic systems,” he said.
Kolawole added that beyond compliance requirements such as appointing Data Protection Officers and filing audit returns, universities should integrate data ethics into curricula, research protocols and administrative processes.
He noted that fostering digital responsibility among students would prepare them for a future where data governance and ethical technology use are critical competencies.
The vice-chancellor reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to upholding high ethical standards while promoting innovation.
He added that understanding privacy implications was essential in a research-driven academic environment.
In a keynote presentation, the Guest Speaker and Principal Consultant at Data Pulse Nigeria Limited, Dr. Adedoyin Talabi, said academic institutions function as complex data ecosystems that often process more personal information than many commercial organisations.
Talabi warned that increased deployment of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), learning management systems and biometric verification tools had heightened exposure to cyber risks within schools.
He advocated an ethical approach to digital transformation in the education sector, stressing that innovation must be balanced with transparency, accountability and respect for fundamental rights.
“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 said.
Talabi also outlined practical compliance frameworks tailored for students, faculty and administrators to strengthen institutional accountability and legal adherence.
The seminar brought together academics, regulators, technology experts and students to examine how Nigeria’s education sector can strengthen privacy governance while advancing digital innovation. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Christiana Fadare
