By Elizabeth Godwin
The Chairman of the University of Lagos Alumni Association, Lagos State Branch, Hon. Owoeye Adedeji, has called for greater responsibility in the governance of technology, warning that the rapid spread of digitisation has created both opportunities and risks.
Adedeji made the remarks during the 12th Prof. Adetokunbo Babatunde Sofoluwe Memorial Lecture held at the institution. The lecture, themed “Tech Governance in 2025: Balancing Innovation with Responsibility,” was organised to honour the legacy of Sofoluwe, the 10th Vice Chancellor of UNILAG. Adedeji explained that the event also provided a platform to raise funds in support of various university departments.
He cautioned that while digital technologies have opened new frontiers for learning, they have also become tools for fraud, slander, and misinformation, stressing that governance must keep pace with innovation.
The Vice Chancellor of UNILAG, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, echoed the concerns, noting the challenge of ensuring that students use digital tools for genuine knowledge acquisition rather than shortcuts. She emphasised that higher institutions must work harder to produce graduates who are both skilled and responsible.
“The world is speeding ahead. Knowledge and information are generated at unprecedented rates. What we learn today can be obsolete tomorrow,” Ogunsola said. “The internet has democratised knowledge, but with it comes responsibility.”
She commended the alumni association for its consistent support, describing alumni as essential partners in sustaining the university’s growth.
The keynote speaker, National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Surajudeen Bashiru, noted that while technology has transformed society through artificial intelligence, e-commerce, e-banking, e-learning, and social media, it has also created new threats. He argued that responsible governance must include protecting personal data, shielding citizens from harmful content, and preventing misuse for fraud or insecurity.
According to him, no government can afford to allow technology to undermine national security or stability. He urged Nigeria to strengthen its regulatory framework as it integrates further into the global digital economy, stressing that effective governance will determine whether technology serves as a tool for development or sabotage.
