In a groundbreaking dialogue at the World Economic Forum Special Meeting in Riyadh, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu asserted his administration’s commitment to leveraging technology in the fight against corruption.

Meeting with Microsoft Founder and Philanthropist Bill Gates, President Tinubu highlighted the pivotal role of technology in ensuring transparency and accountability within the Nigerian government.Tinubu emphasized that technology serves as a formidable weapon against fraud, corruption, and financial irregularities in public service.

He outlined ambitious plans to invest in technology, aiming to enhance performance and service delivery across the Nigerian public sector.

During the discussion, Tinubu’s spokesperson, Mr. Ajuri Ngelale, underscored the president’s dedication to deploying technology for transparency, particularly in initiatives like the recently launched national consumer credit system.

Reflecting on his tenure as Governor of Lagos, Tinubu recounted how technology was instrumental in significantly boosting the state’s revenue base.

He stressed the importance of data-driven approaches in creating efficient tax systems and enhancing financial transparency.

Gates, in turn, shared insights on a unified identity platform that could streamline data integration and bolster planning, security, and tax efficiency.

He expressed support for Nigeria’s digitization efforts and highlighted the potential of technology to revolutionize government payment programs and financial inclusion.

The philanthropist also advocated for the adoption of high-yield seeds and modern agricultural practices to improve productivity and nutrition nationwide.

He affirmed the safety and efficacy of these seeds, urging support for Nigeria’s agricultural initiatives.

President Tinubu welcomed Gates’ recommendations and expressed pride in Nigeria’s youthful population, emphasizing their role in driving technological innovation and national development.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to pressing forward with reforms for the prosperity of future generations.

As Nigeria embraces the transformative power of technology, President Tinubu’s bold vision signals a promising step towards a more transparent, accountable, and prosperous future for the nation.

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Nigeria can issue regulations to control whatever happens with emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, the National Commissioner for the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, has disclosed.

This is as he noted that the commission was playing a major role in creating an AI strategy for the country.

Recently, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr BosunTijani, revealed that Nigeria needed to develop a national strategy to harness the power of AI for sustainable development.

He said, “With collaborative leadership, Nigeria seeks to pioneer ethical and inclusive Al innovation that improves welfare and expands opportunities for all its citizens.”

According to Olatunji, the recently passed Data Protection Act can protect the interests of Nigerians as emerging technologies continue to play a more prominent role in the world.

He stated this on the sidelines of a ‘Data Protection Training for Data Protection Officer, Processors and Controllers’, organised by the commission in partnership with the African Union, European Union Digital for Development Hub Project and the GIZ Digital Transformation Centre.

He said, “We (NDPC) are playing a major part in the AI strategy for the country. It is part of what we have taken care of in the law, emerging technologies.

“That is why I keep telling people in our clime, we are a bit lucky because as at the time we were working on our own law, we realised that a lot of things were happening and some DPAs did not take cognisance of it in their law. While we were tackling the law, we discussed it, and we were able to tackle it because it keeps evolving every day.

“Things change on the go. 10 to 15 years ago, no one was talking about emerging technologies like IoT, robotics, virtual reality, and AI. But it is our reality now, we do not know what will happen in next year, and the law empowers us to issue regulations to control whatever happens with emerging technologies. These are some of the new things we have in our law that some laws did not envisage.”

The recent boom in the AI industry has led to conversations around regulation, especially due to concerns about the seeming lack of limits for AI.

The co-founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates, recently tasked governments, and the private sector to work on regulating the use of Artificial Intelligence for it to achieve its full potential.

Gates, who labelled AI as a limitless technology, noted that for the technology to reach its full potential, regulation was necessary to maximise its benefits and reduce its risks.

Speaking at a United States Senate AI Insight Forum, he said, “The potential of AI is limitless — but we will only realise that potential if the government, the private sector and civil society work together to maximise the technology’s benefits and minimise its risks.”

Nigeria was recently part of several countries that committed to a new policy paper called the Bletchley Declaration.

The declaration aims to reach a global consensus on how to tackle the risks that AI poses in the present and future as it develops.

Meanwhile, Olatunji declared that the commission was at different stages of investigating about 15 firms, some of which had been concluded.

He added, “Some are ongoing, these investigations will take time. We need to be thorough; we need to be effective; we need to come out with something that is detailed. It takes time, but we have concluded with about four and the most important thing for us is to take them through remediation for them to now see compliance as a culture and we have been able to achieve that in some of the organisations that we have concluded our investigations.”

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By Abbas Badmus

TECHDIGEST – In the realm of innovation and technological advancement, the anticipation surrounding Bosun Tijani’s potential appointment as the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation is nothing short of electrifying.

Tijani, a visionary entrepreneur and tech luminary, stands poised to revolutionize Nigeria’s technological landscape and spearhead a new era of progress. From his humble beginnings as a tech enthusiast to his meteoric rise as a prominent figure in Africa’s tech ecosystem, His journey is an inspiring testament to the power of innovation.

Bosun Tijani was born on 20 July, 1977 in Agege, Lagos, Nigeria and spent his formative years there before moving to Abeokuta, Nigeria for his secondary education.

In 1996, he went on to Jos, Nigeria to study at the University of Jos where he first started off studying for a diploma in Computer Science before going on to study Economics, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in 2002. He later obtained an MSc in Information Systems and Management from the Warwick Business School, United Kingdom in 2007.

He is a Nigerian-British entrepreneur, co-founder and CEO of Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB), the leading Pan-African innovation and technology centre.Co-Creation Hub works at the forefront of accelerating the application of innovation and social capital for a better society.

Tijani is widely acknowledged as a pioneer and industry leader in the African technology ecosystem and was named as one of the 100 Most Influential People on the continent by New Africa Magazine.

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He initiated the first visit of Mark Zuckerberg to Nigeria in August 2016 as part of efforts to place Africa on the global technology map.

He has also hosted other global technology leaders in Nigeria, including former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey in 2019 and most recently in June, 2023, hosted a fireside chat with Microsoft founder and co-Chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates.In 2019, under his leadership, CcHUB acquired Kenya’s iHub and launched the CcHUB Design Lab in Kigali, Rwanda in the same year.

He has also expanded CcHUB’s Pan-African footprint into Southern Africa by opening CcHUB Namibia, the main tech hub in Windhoek, Namibia in 2023.

Tijani is also currently an associate researcher at the Wits School of Governance,with research interests in collaborative projects that inform practice through support to policymakers, inventors and entrepreneurs while advancing theories in innovation systems and governance.

In 2023, Tijani earned a PhD in innovation and economic development from the School of Business, University of Leicester.

Tijani has also been part of the Innovation for Economic Development executive programme at Harvard Kennedy School in 2013 as well as being a 2014 Draper Hills Fellow of the Centre for Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law (CDDRL) at Stanford University.

One of Tijani’s most notable achievements is the establishment of the iHub, an initiative aimed at providing aspiring entrepreneurs with the resources and mentorship needed to transform their ideas into impactful businesses. Under his guidance, the iHub has incubated and accelerated countless startups, propelling Nigeria’s tech ecosystem to greater heights.

As a potential Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, he brings a unique blend of business acumen, technological expertise, and an unwavering passion for progress. His extensive network within the tech industry, both locally and globally, positions him as a bridge between Nigeria and the global tech community, paving the way for collaborations, investments, and knowledge exchange.

Tijani’s vision extends beyond mere technological advancements; he envisions a future where innovation is harnessed to address pressing societal challenges. His emphasis on leveraging technology for social good, evident in initiatives such as the “Tech for Good” program, showcases his dedication to using innovation as a force for positive change.

Under his leadership, the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation could become a catalyst for innovative solutions to critical issues, ranging from healthcare to agriculture and beyond.

Furthermore, Tijani’s track record of advocating for policies that promote a conducive environment for tech startups and entrepreneurs is a testament to his commitment to nurturing homegrown talent. His involvement in crafting policies that facilitate access to funding, reduce regulatory hurdles, and encourage research and development could pave the way for a thriving tech ecosystem that rivals even the most advanced nations.

In conclusion, the prospect of Bosun Tijani assuming the role of Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation is a thrilling one. With his unparalleled passion, extensive experience, and unyielding dedication to innovation, Tijani has the potential to not only elevate Nigeria’s tech sector but also inspire a generation of future innovators.

As Nigeria stands on the brink of a technological renaissance, Bosun Tijani’s appointment could mark a defining moment in the nation’s journey toward progress, innovation, and prosperity.

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