By Ola Kay
Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday had a parley with Microsoft founder and philanthropist, Mr. Bill Gates, during the World Economic Forum Special Meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where both figures discussed the significance of technology in the current dispensation.
President Tinubu informed Mr. Gates that technology will be deployed as a potent weapon against corruption and financial impropriety in public service, while government will continue to invest in technology that is based on ensuring transparency and accountability in government and accelerating public-sector performance and service delivery for the citizens.
He also assured of his administration’s commitment to deliver reliable technology that will support a national consumer credit system and many other innovation to speed up government interventions for all Nigerians. The President noted that resistance is often the case whenever efforts are made to strengthen systems and forestall malfeasance.
“Technology is the enemy of fraud, corruption, and irregularity. We have been working hard on improving technology.
“There is always the initial resistance. Corruption, self-interest, and fraudulent activity will always be an enemy, but when you bend that curve, you will receive the benefit. The nation will receive the benefit,” Tinubu stated.
He went down memory lane on how he deployed technology to transform the revenue base of Lagos State as governor, President Tinubu said he ensured the collection and utilisation of essential data, creating an efficient tax system for the state.
“When I was governor of Lagos State, I faced challenges. I started with N600 million and ended up with over N8 billion. And right now, they are targeting a trillion naira with the use of technology in the state.
“There is no other shortcut. We must invest in technology. We must focus, be diligent, and work hard,” the President said.
Responding, Mr. Gates pointed out a one-identity technological platform that can integrate variegated data, while explaining the centrality of data harmonization to planning, security, and tax efficiency.
He stated further that, “We are working with Mr. Wale Edun, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, on digitization. Before you came into office, there were a few things attempted in identity management. But they have been very scattered. There have been multiple identification system.”, ”
About The Author
