FUL Signs Landmark MoU to Establish Nigeria’s First Postgraduate Diploma in Data Protection

The Management of the Federal University Lokoja (FUL) has entered into a historic partnership with the Association of Licensed Data Protection Compliance Organisations of Nigeria (ALDAPCON) and Hanzumana-Asheazi-Tebe-Tebe Consulting & Investments Ltd (HATCIL) to establish a Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) Programme in Data Protection — the first of its kind in Nigeria and across Africa.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was officially signed on Thursday, September 25, 2025, during the weekly Principal Officers Committee meeting chaired by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi. The groundbreaking programme will be jointly facilitated by seasoned academics and industry experts in data protection.

The collaboration seeks to build professional capacity, foster academic–industry synergy, and expand career opportunities in the rapidly growing field of data privacy and digital trust. It will produce graduates capable of immediately fitting into the modern workplace with minimal onboarding, while also preparing them to sit for the Certified Data Protection Officer (CDPO) examination — a requirement under the Nigerian Data Protection Act 2023 for Data Protection Units in both public and private organizations.

In his presentation titled “Forging the Future: A Landmark Partnership in Digital Trust and Professional Excellence,” Professor M. A. Ibrahim, Director, Centre for Distance and E-Learning, described the MoU as a decisive step toward strengthening Nigeria’s digital infrastructure through education.

“Our shared mission is clear and ambitious,” Professor Ibrahim stated. “We will establish a Postgraduate Diploma in Data Protection and Privacy, delivered through flexible online and part-time modes to meet the needs of working professionals. We aim to equip a minimum of 5,000 civil servants and private sector personnel annually with the expertise to navigate the critical landscape of data privacy.”

The partnership marks a new chapter in FUL’s commitment to innovation, professional development, and the cultivation of a digitally responsible workforce.