By Nkechi Eze
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service to responsible digital transformation and innovation-driven governance, calling for a human-centred approach to the deployment of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in public administration.
Adeniyi made the call while delivering the keynote address at the 4th Biennial International Conference organised by the Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences, University of Ilorin, in collaboration with the Faculty of Philology, RUDN University, Russia.
The conference, themed “Disruptive Technology: Human and Artificial Intelligence in the Digital Economy,” was held on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at the University of Ilorin Main Auditorium and attracted academics, communication scholars, technology experts, researchers, heads of government agencies, policymakers, and institutional leaders from within and outside Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, the Customs boss stressed that the future of the digital economy must be built on ethical leadership, institutional competence, and responsible governance rather than relying solely on technological advancement.
“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,” Adeniyi stated.
He observed that disruptive technologies such as digital payment systems, e-commerce platforms, artificial intelligence, and smart technologies had fundamentally altered global economic and governance systems, noting that nations were no longer preparing for disruption but already operating within it.
According to him, public institutions must ensure that innovation strengthens transparency, operational efficiency, and public trust instead of weakening accountability mechanisms.
Drawing from the Nigeria Customs Service’s ongoing modernisation drive, Adeniyi highlighted the impact of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System, describing it as a major milestone in trade facilitation, cargo processing, and inter-agency coordination.
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 said.
Adeniyi further emphasised that while artificial intelligence could significantly improve efficiency, risk management, and operational decision-making, human expertise, ethical judgment, and leadership remained indispensable in governance and enforcement processes.
“Technology changes processes; leadership and expertise still deliver the results,” he added.
The Comptroller-General also advocated stronger collaboration among universities, research institutions, and public agencies in addressing emerging digital governance and technological challenges.
He urged tertiary institutions to move beyond theoretical scholarship and become active contributors to innovation, research, and policy development capable of supporting national institutions.
Adeniyi identified several areas where academia could support Customs modernisation efforts, including artificial intelligence-driven risk targeting, digital compliance systems, governance of cross-border data flows, and strategic communication frameworks aimed at strengthening public trust.
He also challenged African nations to develop digital governance models rooted in African realities, legal systems, and developmental priorities, stressing that technological advancement must remain accountable to the people it is meant to serve.
On the sidelines of the conference, the Customs boss held engagements with heads of sister agencies, traditional rulers, communication professionals, scholars, and institutional leaders on opportunities for collaboration in digital innovation, research, capacity development, and community advancement.
