President Bola Tinubu recently convened a meeting with Microsoft Founder and Philanthropist, Mr. Bill Gates, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during the World Economic Forum Special Meeting. The focus of the discussion centred on President Tinubu’s administration’s dedication to investing in technology as a means to foster transparency, accountability, and improved public-sector service delivery within Nigeria. President Tinubu underscored the pivotal role of technology as a potent tool in combatting corruption and financial impropriety within the public sector.
Furthermore, President Tinubu accentuated the obstacles encountered when reinforcing systems to combat wrongdoing, emphasising the critical nature of technology in the fight against fraud, corruption, and irregularity. Specifically citing the substantial revenue growth of Lagos State during his governance, where essential data collection and an efficient tax system were implemented to achieve significant financial progress.
During this exchange, Mr. Gates imparted insights regarding a one-identity technological platform capable of integrating diverse datasets, highlighting the significance of data harmonization for purposes of planning, security, and tax efficiency. Furthermore, he extended his support for Nigeria’s digitization efforts and the prospective application of the MOSIP identification platform within government payment programs, payment efficiency, bank accounts, and tax collection.
Mr. Gates also lauded the proficiency of Nigerian youths in managing technological systems, in addition to acknowledging the remarkable growth of Microsoft’s operations in Lagos. Moreover, he underscored the potential of high-yield seeds and improved crop varieties in enhancing productivity and nutrition across Nigeria, emphasizing their safety and the importance of supporting the Minister of Agriculture’s efforts in this domain.
In response, President Tinubu expressed his pride in Nigeria’s youth, recognising their eagerness and ingenuity with technology. He reiterated the government’s commitment to further exploring and implementing the recommendations outlined during the meeting, underscoring the potential for Nigeria to realise its aspirations with the support of innovative technology and the dedication of its youth.
This meeting encapsulates the significance of harnessing technology to address governance challenges and promote sustainable development. By embracing digital innovation, Nigeria stands to enhance transparency, efficiency, and inclusive growth, thereby laying a robust foundation for a prosperous future.