By Harriet Tornguvan
The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has reiterated the need for responsible digital transformation driven by ethics, leadership, and institutional competence as part of efforts to strengthen governance and economic development.
Adeniyi made the call while delivering a keynote address at the 4th Biennial International Conference organised by the Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences of University of Ilorin in collaboration with the Faculty of Philology, RUDN University.
The conference, themed “Disruptive Technology: Human and Artificial Intelligence in the Digital Economy,” was held at the University of Ilorin Main Auditorium and attracted academics, technology experts, researchers, policymakers, communication scholars, and heads of government agencies.
Speaking at the event, the Customs boss stressed the importance of balancing technological advancement with human responsibility, noting that the future of the digital economy depends not only on artificial intelligence but also on ethical leadership and strong institutions.
“The digital age is, in the end, a human story, and the real test of our generation is not how powerful our machines become, but how wisely our societies choose to use them,” he said.
Adeniyi observed that disruptive technologies such as digital payments, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, and smart systems have already transformed global operations, adding that nations are no longer preparing for disruption but are already operating within it.
According to him, government institutions must ensure that innovation enhances public trust, transparency, and operational efficiency rather than weakening accountability.
Drawing from the experience of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adeniyi highlighted the deployment of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System, which he said has improved trade facilitation, cargo processing, and inter-agency collaboration.
He disclosed that the platform generated over N230 billion at the PTML Command within its first eight months of deployment, while cargo clearance timelines for compliant traders had been reduced to less than eight hours.
“The partnership, not the rivalry, between human and artificial intelligence is where the real value lies,” he stated, adding that technology remains effective only when guided by clear institutional purpose and ethical standards.
The CGC further maintained that while artificial intelligence can improve efficiency, risk management, and decision-making, human expertise and leadership remain indispensable in governance and enforcement operations.
“Technology changes processes; leadership and expertise still deliver the results,” he added.
Adeniyi also called for stronger collaboration among universities, research institutions, and public agencies to develop practical solutions to emerging governance and digital challenges.
He urged universities to move beyond theoretical learning and become active drivers of innovation and policy development, identifying digital compliance systems, AI-driven risk targeting, governance of cross-border data flows, and public trust communication as critical areas for research collaboration.
The Customs boss further encouraged African countries to develop locally relevant digital governance frameworks tailored to the continent’s realities, legal systems, and development priorities.
On the sidelines of the conference, Adeniyi engaged with traditional rulers, scholars, communication professionals, and heads of government agencies on opportunities for collaboration in digital innovation, research, capacity development, and community advancement.
