UniFinder Limited (“UniFinder,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) is committed to protecting the personal information of individuals (“you” or “your”) who use our services. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, store, and disclose your personal information in compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023, and other applicable data protection laws.

This policy applies to personal information collected through:

• Our website: UNIFINDER.ORG
• Social media or official UniFinder content on other websites
• Live chat platforms
• In-person and online events
• Phone, SMS, email, letters, or other correspondence

This policy applies to personal information of:

• Website users (guests and registered users)
• Applicants
• Staff members
• Contractors
• Partnership organizations

2. WHO WE ARE

UniFinder provides free educational advising services to guide individuals interested in studying overseas. We offer information about degree programs and partner universities, striving for accuracy and up-to-dateness. We are not liable for any loss or damage resulting from information obtained through our services.

3. THE APPLICATION PROCESS

UniFinder facilitates the application process to our partner universities but does not guarantee admission. Applicants are responsible for the accuracy and authenticity of their application materials. We submit applications through authorized channels like UCAS or university-specific portals. The final admission decision rests with the university.

4. LAWFUL BASIS FOR PROCESSING

We collect and process your personal information based on the following lawful grounds under the NDPA:

• Contract: To fulfill our contractual obligations in providing educational advising services.
• Consent: Where necessary, we will obtain your explicit consent to process your personal information for specific purposes.
• Legal Obligation: To comply with legal requirements.
• Legitimate Interests: To pursue our legitimate interests or those of a third party, provided your interests and fundamental rights do not override these interests.  
• Vital Interests: To protect your vital interests or those of another individual.

5. INFORMATION WE COLLECT

We may collect the following personal information:

• Information you provide: Name, contact details, academic background, application materials, survey responses, and any other information you provide through forms, correspondence, or other interactions.
• Information from your use of our services: Website usage data, IP address, device information, and online activity.

6. HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION

We use your personal information for the following purposes:

• Providing and improving services: To provide educational advising, process applications, personalize your experience, and improve our services.
• Communication: To respond to your inquiries, provide updates on your application, and send relevant information about studying overseas (with your consent).
• Marketing: To send you promotional materials about our services and partner universities (with your consent). You can opt-out of marketing communications at any time.
• Research and analysis: To analyze trends, conduct research, and improve our services.
• Legal compliance: To comply with legal obligations.

7. WHEN WE WILL CONTACT YOU

We may contact you:

• To respond to your inquiries or complaints.
• To provide updates on your application.
• To invite you to participate in surveys (voluntary).
• To provide information about further study opportunities or vacancies at UniFinder.
• For marketing purposes, if you have opted-in.

8. SHARING YOUR INFORMATION

We may share your personal information with:

• Partner universities: To process your applications.
• Service providers: Third-party service providers who assist us with data processing, storage, and other essential functions.
• Legal authorities: When required by law or to prevent or detect crime.

We will ensure that any third parties with whom we share your information are obligated to protect it in accordance with the NDPA.

9. DATA SECURITY

We take appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.  

10. DATA RETENTION

We will retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected and to comply with legal obligations.  

11. YOUR RIGHTS

Under the NDPA, you have the following rights:

• Right of access: To request access to your personal information.
• Right to rectification: To request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Right to erasure: To request deletion of your personal information in certain circumstances.
• Right to restriction of processing: To request limitation of processing in certain circumstances.
• Right to data portability: To receive your personal information in a portable format.
• Right to object: To object to processing of your personal information in certain circumstances.
• Right to withdraw consent: To withdraw your consent to processing, where consent is the lawful basis.
• Right to lodge a complaint: To lodge a complaint with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).