By Law Ibitoye
Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, has reaffirmed its commitment to data protection and privacy compliance with a three-day capacity-building training for academic and non-teaching staff, as well as members of the university management.
The training, themed “Data Protection and Privacy: Culture and Compliance,” was held from October 20 to 22, 2026, at the university’s ICT Experience Centre.
Speaking during a visit to the training venue, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joseph Babatola Ayodele, said the programme was designed to ensure the responsible collection, processing, storage and protection of personal information belonging to students, staff, parents, applicants, alumni and other stakeholders.
He explained that the initiative would strengthen the university’s compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, and the directives of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), the regulatory body responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Act.
Professor Ayodele expressed optimism that the training would expose participants to emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), that could improve data protection and privacy practices.
He urged the selected participants to take the training seriously and ensure that the knowledge acquired was transferred to colleagues who could not attend the programme.
The Vice-Chancellor assured the participants that the knowledge gained would be documented and translated into practical workplace procedures without delay.
He also commended the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, for his support for the university’s infrastructural, academic and research development, noting that the state government had continued to provide an enabling environment for the institution to thrive.
The training facilitator and founder of DAPT/DXL Data Protection Consultant, HHI Olutoyin Oloniteru, commended the university management for prioritising data protection and privacy compliance.
Oloniteru described the training as a necessary step towards promoting a strong culture of data protection, privacy awareness and regulatory compliance in line with international best practices.
He disclosed that EKSU had met key requirements of the Nigeria Data Protection Act by registering with the NDPC and appointing and training a qualified Data Protection Officer (DPO).
Some participants, including Dr Sunday Fadugba of the Department of Mathematics and Comrade Temidayo Aguda, a Deputy Registrar, described the training as timely and beneficial.
They expressed their readiness to apply the knowledge gained to ensure the responsible management, proper handling and secure protection of the university’s information.
Similarly, Dr Adekemi Taiwo of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities said the training would enhance academic staff members’ understanding of data protection in teaching, student assessment and research.
She added that it would improve their knowledge of the appropriate use and ethics of Generative and Agentic Artificial Intelligence in academic activities, including teaching and research.
The participants were drawn from various departments, faculties, directorates and the Registry, including members of the university management.
The programme was aimed at strengthening EKSU’s compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, while promoting responsible information management and safeguarding personal data across the institution’s operations.
