President Bola Tinubu met with Microsoft founder and renowned philanthropist, Bill Gates, on Sunday, during the World Economic Forum Special Meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Their discussion revolved around the pivotal role of technology in shaping the modern world.
Tinubu relayed his administration’s commitment to investing in technology geared towards promoting transparency, and accountability, and enhancing public-sector performance and service delivery to Nigerians. He emphasized that technology serves as a potent tool in combating corruption and financial malpractices within government institutions.
Highlighting the importance of technological advancements in governance, President Tinubu expressed his determination to implement reliable technology solutions, including a national consumer credit system, to benefit all Nigerians.
He acknowledged the initial resistance often encountered when striving to fortify systems against misconduct but stressed the long-term benefits for the nation.
Drawing from his experience as the former governor of Lagos State, President Tinubu recounted how technology was instrumental in significantly increasing the state’s revenue base. He emphasized the importance of data collection and utilization in creating an efficient tax system, citing the substantial growth witnessed during his tenure.
In response, Mr. Gates shared insights into a unified identity platform capable of integrating diverse data sets, emphasizing the importance of data harmonization for effective planning, security, and tax optimization.
He commended efforts towards digitization led by Mr. Wale Edun, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance while highlighting the need to streamline identity management systems for greater efficiency and effectiveness.
