Lagos Assembly to refine bill to address data privacy breaches

The Lagos State House of Assembly will refine and amend the Lagos State Data Protection Bill (LDPB) to adequately address data privacy breaches on emerging technologies.

The Speaker of the assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, gave the assurance at the Sixth Research and Innovation Fair of the Lagos State University (LASU), on Tuesday.

The conference had the theme: “Emerging Technologies, Research and Innovation: Trends, Threats and Consideration”.

It was reported that LDPB aims to promote protection of personal information processed by public and private bodies.

It is also aimed at establishing minimum requirements for processing and protection of personal information as well as establishing data protection commission.

The bill will also take care of connected issues.

Obasa said that emerging technologies had brought significant benefits to the world in spite of any drawbacks.

“We, at the assembly, are fervently committed to addressing these concerns through enabling legislation.

“We shall continue to strive to make sure that the benchmark recommended for education is observed through enabling laws to allow for technological advancement through research and innovations.

“This, we shall do through necessary institutional reforms and appropriate laws.

“We shall ensure that our technologies and innovations in the state unlock the innate compassion we have for our fellow human beings,” Obasa said.

According to the speaker, there is a strong nexus between research, innovations and emerging technologies.

“As a matter of fact, new technologies and innovations are created through research which, in turn, depends on academic excellence.

“The biggest trend in the automotive industry is the current shift to electric cars. It is a forecast that by 2030, about 55 per cent of cars in Europe will be electric cars.

“Another innovation that is taking over the automotive industry is the self-driving vehicles made easy with Artificial Intelligence,” Obasa said.

He added that information technology and businesses were becoming inextricably interwoven, saying that advancement in technology was bringing new lease of life to global businesses.

The Vice-Chancellor of LASU, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, said that the university was committed to academic excellence and innovation and, therefore, at the forefront of conversations on emerging technologies.

Olatunji-Bello said that the fair was a call to innovate responsibly, collaborate beyond borders and push the boundaries of knowledge with wisdom and caution.

“This is the dawn of an era where Artificial Intelligence, biotechnology, quantum computing and renewable energy are no longer science fiction but living, breathing realities,” she said.

Prof. Conrad Omonhinmin, Director of Covenant University’s Centre for Research, Innovation and Discovery, said that universities and research institutions would need interdisciplinary collaboration to foster and address complex ethical issues on technologies.

Omonhinmin said that contemporary ethical issues on research and innovation would require careful consideration in ongoing dialogues among researchers, policymakers and the public.

“As research and innovation continue to evolve, fostering a nexus between ethical reflection and responsibility will be crucial in navigating the challenges that arise,” he said.

In his opening remarks, Prof. Adejuwon Adeneye, Director, Directorate of Research Management and Innovation of LASU, said that it was the duty of researchers and educators to activate the new trends of technology.

Adeneye said that the activation would go a long way to solve problems in the world.

“I call for collaboration from different universities, research institutions and education stakeholders to inspire breakthroughs in technology,” he said.