Rapid innovation needs to be balanced with civic responsibility, says Nigerian legal expert

Without proper governance, rapidly evolving technology poses key threats to the credibility of elections and fundamental human rights, said renowned Nigerian lawyer Dr Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru while delivering the Professor Adetokunbo Babatunde Sofoluwe Memorial Anniversary Lecture in Lagos earlier this week.

“We should honour the memory of Professor Sofoluwe beyond speeches, by advancing Nigeria’s technological frontiers with the same vision, integrity, and commitment to educational and technological excellence he exemplified during his lifetime,” said Dr Basiru, National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC). 

While technology can strengthen democracy along with empowering education and groundbreaking research, it must be effectively regulated to prevent abuse, cautioned Dr Basiru, urging stakeholders at the University of Lagos event to insist on research and entrepreneurial creativity guided by ethical standards, stressing that tech governance must ensure innovation serves the public good. 

“Just as Professor Sofoluwe championed education as a tool for societal development, tech governance must guarantee that technology is deployed responsibly and for the benefit of society,” said Dr Basiru, noting every Nigerian, regardless of geographical or sociological status, should benefit from technology.

Dr Basiru delivered his guest lecture, themed ‘Tech Governance in 2025: Balancing Innovation with Responsibility’, before a packed audience of eminent personalities, academics, and industry experts, at the University of Lagos on Tuesday. 

The Professor Adetokunbo Babatunde Sofoluwe Memorial Anniversary Lecture is organised each year by the University of Lagos Alumni Association. It honours the late former Vice-Chancellor, a beloved professor of computer science. 

As noted in the welcome by the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Professor Aderonke Samuel, the annual event has dual purposes: to engage in meaningful discourse on technology, and reflect on the impactful life of Professor Sofoluwe. 

The theme of this year’s memorial lecture, ‘Tech Governance in 2025: Balancing Innovation with Responsibility’, is both timely and relevant to Nigeria’s democratic and developmental aspirations, said Basiru, noting that in this era “innovation is no longer optional; it is the undisputed necessity for economic development”. 

“While technology forms the backbone of modern society, emerging technologies such as AI are transforming the ways of doing things and enhancing efficiency and productivity, which has integrated nations, with the world becoming a global village.” 

Technology applies to all aspects of human activities, said Basiru, such as business models and industries, e-voting (registration, actual voting, tabulation of results), education, virtual legal practice, social media, and cloud computing, which have transformed the way goods and services are produced, distributed, and consumed. 

“As Nigeria continues to harness the benefits of technology, it also imposes a solemn responsibility of ethical and sustainable practices that respect human rights and a commitment to the public good,” said Dr Basiru. “Responsible use of technology means protecting personal data, safeguarding the populace from harmful content and preventing its exploitation for fraud, insecurity, subversion and instability.”

Current Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS expressed gratitude to both Dr Basiru and Hon Kayode Oladele, the Acting Chair of the Federal Character Commission - who chaired the day’s proceedings - for their involvement, praising them for embodying the spirit of their alma mater, ‘In Deed and In Truth’. 

Oladele was also presented with the prestigious Leadership and Advocacy Award for his contributions to human rights, legal excellence, and legislative development in Nigeria, celebrating his commitment to fairness, justice, and inclusivity. 

As a lawyer, human rights advocate, and public servant, Oladele has played a key role in promoting equity both as a legislator and now as FCC Chair, where he oversees the fair distribution of opportunities and resources nationwide. He paid tribute to the late Professor Sofoluwe as “a man of integrity, vision, and service” 

Dr Basiru was presented with the Legacy of Excellence Award.