Data Should Serve as Tool of Empowerment, Not Control — Osinbajo!

Data Should Serve as Tool of Empowerment, Not Control — Osinbajo!

Reported by Marian Opeyemi Fasesan | Sele Media Africa

Former Vice‑President Yemi Osinbajo has urged human‑resource professionals, technologists and policymakers to ensure that data and emerging digital technologies become instruments of empowerment — not mechanisms of control.

What We Know:

• Speaking at the Technology, New Media, Citizens & Governance (TNCG) conference in Lagos, Osinbajo warned that while technology offers vast potential, it also carries risks if misused — particularly when data becomes a tool for exclusion or coercion. [1]
• He argued that leveraging technology for development — in education, healthcare and governance — must be matched by ethical frameworks and inclusive policies that safeguard individuals’ rights. [2]
• He emphasised that unregulated data systems or weaponised tech could undermine trust, civic freedom and social progress. [1]

Quote:

“By using technology responsibly and innovatively, we can empower individuals… we can transform political actions into a force for real development in Africa.”

— Prof. Yemi Osinbajo [2]

Why It Matters:

• With Nigeria and other African countries increasingly integrating data‑driven systems in governance and business, Osinbajo’s remarks underscore the urgency of ethical data governance.
• The call resonates amid growing concerns over privacy, algorithmic bias, mass surveillance, and digital exclusion.
• For HR professionals and policymakers, it stresses the need to embed fairness, transparency and human‑centred design into data and tech strategies.

What to Watch:

• Development of national or organisational data protection and ethics policies.
• Adoption of training programmes in data literacy and ethics for HR and tech teams.
• Engagement of civil society and private sector in frameworks that ensure data serves people, not controls them.

Sources:

1. BusinessDay – Everyone pays price for weaponisation of technology — Osinbajo (Nov 28 2024) [1]
2. Daily Trust – Leveraging technology can drive lasting progress… (Nov 2024) [2]
3. BusinessDay – Osinbajo highlights technology’s role in governance… (Nov 28 2024) [3]

About The Author

Marian Opeyemi Fasesan

editor

Marian Opeyemi Fasesan is a dynamic journalist and editorial leader committed to excellence in news reporting and storytelling. As the Editor-in-Chief of Sele Media Africa, she ensures daily operations run smoothly while upholding the highest editorial standards. With a strong eye for detail and deep understanding of audience engagement, Marian coordinates content across platforms, guiding teams to produce compelling, timely, and credible news. Her leadership reflects the heart of Sele Media Africa’s mission—to inform, inspire, and elevate voices across the continent.

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