President Bola Tinubu highlighted his administration’s focus on leveraging technology to promote transparency, accountability, and efficiency in Nigerian governance.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum Special Meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tinubu expressed pride in Nigeria’s youth, noting their enthusiasm for technological innovation and their role in driving the government’s reform agenda forward.
In response to proposals by Bill Gates, Tinubu acknowledged the importance of technology in combating corruption and financial mismanagement in public service.
He emphasized his commitment to implementing reliable technology solutions to support initiatives such as a national consumer credit system.
Tinubu acknowledged that resistance is common when trying to strengthen systems and prevent malfeasance, but stressed the importance of persevering for the nation’s benefit.
Reflecting on his experience as the former governor of Lagos State, Tinubu highlighted the transformative power of technology in enhancing revenue collection and governance.
He emphasized the need to invest in technology and improve data utilization to build efficient tax systems.
Bill Gates, in his remarks, discussed a technological platform for unified identity management, emphasizing its importance in data integration for planning, security, and tax efficiency.
He expressed support for Nigeria’s digitization efforts and highlighted the potential of the MOSIP ID system in improving payment efficiency, financial inclusion, and government payment programs.
Gates also discussed the potential benefits of high-yield seeds and crop varieties for improving productivity and nutrition across Nigeria.
He assured that these seeds had been tested and certified as safe, and expressed support for Nigeria’s agricultural development efforts.
