By Adedapo Adesanya
President Bola Tinubu has said his government was investing in technology to ensure transparency and accountability.
Speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Special Meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Sunday with the founder of Microsoft, Mr Bill Gates, the President described technology as an enemy of fraud.
“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,” Mr Tinubu was quoted as saying by his spokesman, Mr Ajuri Ngelale, in a statement.
He noted that during his eight-year reign as the governor of Lagos State, he deployed technology to enhance the revenue base, ensuring the collection and utilisation of essential data, and 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 stated.
In his remarks, Mr Gates informed the President of a one-identity technological platform that can integrate variegated data, while explaining the centrality of data harmonization to planning, security, and tax efficiency.
“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 systems.
“Now, there is a plan to take that technology called MOSIP and use it for this identification platform so that people can get digital benefits. We are providing support for that, and we can provide more support.
“With MOSIP ID, there is a potential application in all government payment programmes. It helps with payment efficiency and bank accounts, and eventually, when everyone is using that, it makes tax collection easier. That benefit will take a few years.
“However, there will be more bank accounts, more financial inclusion, and effective government payment programmes,” the former Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft said.
Mr Gates also said Nigeria has the capacity to manage this system and related technological systems as the nation brims with talented youths.
“The last time I went to the Microsoft office in Lagos, I saw the amazing work that they were doing and how they were growing their operations. So, you have a lot of Nigerian talents to manage these systems,” he said.
The businessman also spoke about some high-yield seeds and a variety of crops with the potential for improved productivity and nutrition in all regions of the country.
He said countries like the United States and Brazil have been using these seeds and that they have been tested and certified as safe.
“There is no safety issue with these seeds. Supporting the Minister of Agriculture’s effort in this regard is something that we feel is important and worth supporting,” Mr Gates added.
After this, President Tinubu said, he would be looking forward to expanding on partnerships with the tech entrepreneur.
“We will look at this and work on it further. I am proud of Nigeria’s youths. They are very excited and creative with technology. They encourage us as we continue to press our reform efforts forward for their future prosperity. This is Nigeria’s time to become what it ought to be,” he said.
Aduragbemi Omiyale