Technology Enhancement: Details as President Tinubu Set to Partner with Bill Gates

During a recent meeting with Microsoft founder Bill Gates at the World Economic Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu highlighted his administration’s commitment to leveraging technology to enhance transparency and combat corruption.

In a conversation with the press, President Tinubu emphasized the role of technology in government, stating, “Technology is the enemy of fraud, corruption, and irregularity. We have been working hard on improving technology to bend the curve against corruption, ensuring benefits for the nation.”

Reflecting on his tenure as governor of Lagos State, President Tinubu recounted his efforts to boost the state’s revenue through technological advancements in tax collection, increasing revenue from N600 million to over N8 billion. He expressed optimism about reaching a trillion naira through continuous technological investments.

Bill Gates, in his remarks, discussed the importance of data harmonization and introduced a unified technological platform, MOSIP ID, which could revolutionize government payment systems and tax collection by enhancing digital identification and financial inclusion. Gates noted that such advancements could take a few years to fully materialize but would ultimately facilitate more effective governance.

Gates praised the potential of Nigerian youth in managing technological systems, citing their creativity and the significant operations at Microsoft’s Lagos office. He also touched on the agricultural sector, mentioning high-yield seeds and crop varieties that could improve productivity and nutrition across Nigeria.

In response, President Tinubu expressed his admiration for Nigeria’s young population and their technological prowess, reinforcing his commitment to advancing reforms for the future prosperity of the nation.