• Super Admin
• 06 Mar, 2026

Prof. Olubukola Olugasa, a Professor of Law and Technology at Babcock University, has called for the establishment of a comprehensive legal framework to ensure that technological innovation aligns with societal responsibility in Nigeria. He made the appeal while delivering the University's 59th inaugural lecture titled "The Quest for Return to Eden: Balancing Technological Acceleration with Legal Safeguards for Long-term Societal Responsibility." Prof. Olugasa emphasized that rapid technological advancements risk outpacing ethics and accountability if not accompanied by clear legal safeguards. He highlighted the urgent need for regulations to consolidate national data, strengthen digital governance, and protect Nigeria's cybersecurity. "Data sovereignty is a critical aspect of national security and economic independence in the digital age. Nigeria must develop exclusive broadband infrastructure, akin to the achievements seen in the Dangote Refinery project," he said. The lecture also addressed the role of technology in electoral processes, particularly the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which verifies voters, supports electronic voting, and uploads results to the IReV portal for real-time public viewing. Prof. Olugasa stressed that legal oversight is essential to maintain transparency, security, and accountability in such systems. He warned that Nigeria and other countries in the Global South should avoid simply replicating Western technological models, which can perpetuate historical inequities. Instead, he advocated for innovative, culturally attuned approaches that foster resilience and equity in digital integration. Prof. Olugasa further recommended reforms to strengthen energy capacity through diversified sources integrated into the national grid, backed by appropriate legislation. He also called for the modernization of existing laws to support digital governance, the regulation of agriculture for better yields with natural farming, restrictions on genetically modified foods, and measures to reduce paper-based transactions. Concluding his lecture, he urged Nigeria to chart its own technological path. "Nigeria, along with the Global South, should not simply trail or replicate Western technological pathways. We must forge innovative, alternative trajectories that reflect our unique needs and societal values," Prof. Olugasa said. Source: https://hallmarknews.com/babcock-professor-calls-for-legal-framework-to-balance-technology-societal-responsibility/