President Bola Tinubu has underscored the critical issue of insufficient comprehensive data as the primary technological obstacle impeding Nigeria’s growth and the broader African landscape.
Represented by Vice President Sen. Kashim Shetima at the 2023 Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) conference in Lagos, Tinubu highlighted how the absence of robust data has hindered informed decision-making, perpetuating a cycle of missed opportunities and suboptimal outcomes. He particularly emphasized the challenges the country faces in adapting to the fourth industrial revolution.
Tinubu acknowledged the pivotal role of data in shaping the contemporary world and emphasized his strategic placement of tech-savvy individuals in key government positions, aiming not only for strategic planning but also to position Nigeria as a hub of intellectual prowess in the global knowledge economy.
He called for a dedicated commitment to utilizing data within the government and addressing historical inadequacies in policy-making.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State highlighted the customs service’s critical roles in revenue collection, national and international trade, and border security.
Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, stressed the indispensable nature of data for effective planning and urged the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) to incorporate data into their operations.
Customs CGC Adewale Adeniyi emphasized the strategic alignment of the conference theme, “Leveraging Data Analytics for Secure and Efficient Trade Facilitation in Customs Operations,” with contemporary needs.
He underscored the vital role of data analytics in customs operations, aiming to enhance security and trade through meticulous data management that aligns with international standards.
