“Small Error, Big Legal Risks” — Olumide Babalola Calls For Compliance With Data Protection Law After Law School DG Appointment Confusion

Prominent Nigerian data protection lawyer, Olumide Babalola, has commented on the recent appointment of Dr. Gbemi Odusote as the first female Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, emphasizing a lapse in data accuracy in the official State House press release.

In a statement shared publicly, Babalola recounted receiving a congratulatory message from his father on January 6, 2026, about Dr. Odusote’s elevation his former property law lecturer at the Lagos campus of the Nigerian Law School.

He described her as a “humble, dutiful, diligent, and thorough academic” who rose steadily through the ranks, calling the appointment historic and well-deserved.

However, Babalola noted that the initial State House press release stated Dr. Odusote’s age as 54, which was later corrected to 57 (or vice versa). This inconsistency, he argued, diverted attention from her accomplishments and sparked unnecessary speculation in legal circles.

Babalola, a leading voice in digital rights and data privacy in Nigeria, framed the error as a breach of the data protection principle of accuracy under the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 ironically signed by the same administration.

“The press release concerning the amiable Dr. Odusote was not only inaccurate; it has actively misled many into drawing uncomfortable and unnecessary conclusions,” he stated.

He explained that accurate data is essential for decision-making, compliance, and credibility, warning that small errors can lead to reputational harm. Unaddressed, this could impact Dr. Odusote personally, as well as the integrity of her office and the Nigerian Law School.

Babalola urged prompt resolution: “For the sake of Dr. Odusote, the office she now occupies, and the Nigerian Law School as a whole, this issue ought to be promptly and properly nipped in the bud.”

The Nigerian Law School, a key institution for legal education in Nigeria, welcomed its first female Director-General following President Bola Tinubu’s approval announced on January 6, 2026. Dr. Odusote’s appointment takes effect on January 10, 2026.

The post “Small Error, Big Legal Risks” — Olumide Babalola Calls For Compliance With Data Protection Law After Law School DG Appointment Confusion appeared first on TheNigeriaLawyer.