The Vice-Chancellor of Trinity University, Prof. Clement Kolawole, has called on Nigerian universities to take the lead in embedding data privacy and protection into their governance, research, and teaching systems.
Kolawole made the statement on Tuesday at a seminar organized by the university in collaboration with Data Pulse Nigeria Ltd. at its City Campus in Lagos.
Themed “Privacy in the Age of Emerging Technologies: Trust, Ethics and Innovation,” the event focused on the urgent need for robust data protection in higher education.
The vice-chancellor emphasized that when universities prioritize data privacy, they safeguard students, protect sensitive information, 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 outputs, and staff records.
According to Kolawole, the education sector must not lag behind in complying 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 organizations, including 649 tertiary institutions, underscores the urgency for universities to institutionalize data protection frameworks,” he said.
“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,” Kolawole added.
He urged institutions to go beyond basic compliance—such as appointing Data Protection Officers and filing audit returns—and integrate data ethics into curricula, research protocols, and administrative processes.
Fostering digital responsibility among students, he noted, would equip them with essential competencies for a future where data governance and ethical technology use are critical.
The vice-chancellor reaffirmed Trinity University’s commitment to upholding high ethical standards while promoting innovation, stressing that understanding privacy implications is vital in a research-driven academic environment.
In his keynote address, Guest Speaker and Principal Consultant at Data Pulse Nigeria Limited, Dr. Adedoyin Talabi, described academic institutions as complex data ecosystems that often process more personal information than many commercial organizations.
Talabi 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 in schools.
He advocated for an ethical approach to digital transformation in education, 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,” Talabi said.
He 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 explore how Nigeria’s education sector can strengthen privacy governance while continuing to advance digital innovation.
