APC National Secretary Calls For Balance Between Innovation and Responsibility

By Nancy Omotoun

The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Surajudeen Ajibola Bashiru, advocated for a balance between technology innovation and responsibility at the 12th Memorial anniversary lectures of Professor Babatunde Sofolowe.

The event themed: “Tech Governance in 2025: Balancing Innovation with Responsibility,” held at Jelili Omotola (Multipurpose) hall on Tuesday, August 19, 2025.

Bashiru, the guest lecturer, noted that while technology has become the backbone of modern society, with artificial intelligence (AI), e-commerce, e-banking, e-voting, e-learning, social media, and cloud computing transforming industries and everyday life, it also presents new threats when misused.

“Responsible use of technology means protecting personal data, safeguarding the public from harmful content, and preventing its exploitation for fraud, insecurity, subversion and instability,” he stated.

According to him, a sound regulatory framework is necessary to guide innovation, ensuring that technology becomes a force for development and security rather than sabotage. “Tech governance focuses on setting rules that encourage innovation while protecting citizens from abuse,” he added.

He argued that as Nigeria integrates further into the global digital economy, the importance of governance in technology cannot be overstated, as poor regulation leaves vulnerabilities with implications beyond national borders.

Acknowledging the advantage and threats technology brings, the UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS said, “the world is speeding ahead, knowledge and information are generated at unprecedented rates. What we learn today can be obsolete tomorrow.

“The internet has democratised knowledge, but with it comes responsibility. It has given us opportunities for great development, but also opened the door to fraud, slander and misuse.”

In his remark, the Chairman of the occasion and Acting Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, Hon. Kayode Oladele, described the gathering as “not just a ceremony to recall the memory of a distinguished scholar and visionary leader, but the celebration of a life defined by service, innovation, and unyielding commitment to education.

The event was also used to raise some funds to assist some departments as a way of giving back to the university.

A breakdown of the donations saw the Faculty of Social Sciences getting ₦2 million, donated by Alhaja Ganiatu Abiola-Ulom, CEO of Mary Queen International Group. The Faculty of Education got ₦5 million, donated by Dr. Surajudeen Ajibola Bashiru.

Also in the league of faculties that received funding is the Faculty of Science with unspecified donation by Hon. Kayode Oladele, with an additional ₦1 million support from Dr. Bashiru and Faculty of Arts got ₦3million, donated by the Chairman of Odi-Olowo Local Council Development Area.

Professor Babatunde Sofoluwe was the 10th Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos. He was the 3rd University of Lagos alumnus to occupy the Vice-Chancellor position in the University. He joined the services of the University of Lagos in 1976, became Professor in 1996 and Vice-Chancellor in 2010. Professor Sofoluwe was a distinguished scholar and visionary leader who lived a life defined by service, innovation, and unyielding commitment to education. He was laid to rest on Thursday, May 31, 2012.