The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed his commitment to responsible digital transformation and innovation-driven governance.
He stated this 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.
The international conference, themed “Disruptive Technology: Human and Artificial Intelligence in the Digital Economy,” was held on Wednesday at the University of Ilorin Main Auditorium and brought together academics, technology experts, researchers, communication scholars, policymakers, and heads of sister agencies to examine the impact of digital innovation and artificial intelligence on governance, education, trade, and economic development.
Speaking during the conference, Adeniyi stressed the need for institutions to balance technological advancement with human responsibility, noting that the future of the digital economy would depend not only on artificial intelligence but also on ethics, leadership, and institutional competence.
“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 stated.
He observed that disruptive technologies such as digital payments, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, and smart systems have already transformed global operations, adding that the world is no longer preparing for disruption but already functioning within it.
According to him, government institutions must ensure that innovation strengthens transparency, public trust, and operational efficiency rather than weakening accountability systems.
Drawing from the experience of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adeniyi highlighted ongoing digital transformation initiatives within the Service, particularly 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 said, adding that technology delivers the best results when guided by clear institutional objectives and ethical standards.
The Customs boss further emphasised that while artificial intelligence can improve efficiency, risk management, and decision-making processes, human expertise and leadership remain indispensable to effective governance and enforcement operations.
“Technology changes processes; leadership and expertise still deliver the results,” he added.
Adeniyi also called for stronger collaboration between 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 contributors to innovation, policy formulation, and technological advancement.
The Comptroller-General identified areas where academia could support Customs modernisation efforts, including digital compliance systems, AI-driven risk targeting, public trust communication strategies, and governance of cross-border data flows.
He further advocated the development of locally relevant digital governance frameworks tailored to African realities, legal systems, and developmental priorities, stressing that technological progress must remain accountable to the people it serves.
On the sidelines of the conference, Adeniyi engaged with scholars, institutional leaders, traditional rulers, communication professionals, and heads of government agencies on opportunities for collaboration in digital innovation, research, capacity development, and community advancement.
