President Bola Tinubu says his administration is investing in technology tailored towards ensuring transparency and accountability in government.
Tinubu said this would also accelerate public-sector performance and service delivery to the Nigerian people.
He stated this during a meeting with Microsoft founder and philanthropist, Mr Bill Gates, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Special Meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday.
The President said technology was a potent weapon against corruption and financial impropriety in public service and expressed his unwavering commitment to delivering reliable technology that would support a national consumer credit system and other new critical government interventions for Nigerians.
The President said resistance was often expected when efforts were 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,” Tinubu said.
In his remarks, Gates informed the President of a one-identity technological platform that could integrate variegated data, while explaining the centrality of data harmonisation to planning, security and tax efficiency.
“We are working with Mr Wale Edun, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, on digitisation.
“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,” he said.
According to him, MOSIP ID 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,” he said.
Gates believes that 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.”
