Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR has reiterated his commitment to a responsible, innovation‑driven approach to governance, delivering a 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,” held on 13 May 2026 at UNILORIN’s Main Auditorium, brought together academics, communication scholars, technology experts, researchers, heads of sister agencies, and policymakers to discuss the role of digital innovation and AI in governance, education, trade, and development.
In his remarks, CGC Adeniyi stressed the need for institutions to balance technological advancement with human responsibility, arguing that the future of the digital economy depends on ethics, leadership, and institutional competence as much as on artificial intelligence. He described the digital age as fundamentally a “human story,” adding that the real challenge for this generation is not the power of machines but how wisely societies choose to deploy them. According to him, disruptive technologies, such as digital payments, e‑commerce, AI, and smart systems, have already reshaped global systems, and most economies are no longer preparing for disruption but operating inside it.
Adeniyi emphasised that government institutions must ensure digital innovation strengthens public trust, transparency, and operational efficiency, rather than eroding accountability or creating new avenues for abuse. Drawing from the Nigeria Customs Service experience, he highlighted the ongoing deployment of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System, which has improved trade facilitation, cargo processing, and inter‑agency collaboration. He noted that the platform generated over N230 billion in revenue at the PTML Command within its first eight months and reduced cargo clearance times for compliant traders to under eight hours, underscoring the value of well‑designed, data‑driven systems.
The CGC argued that the true potential of technology lies in the partnership between humans and artificial intelligence, not in competition between them. “The partnership, not the rivalry, between human and artificial intelligence is where the real value lies,” he said, adding that technology is most effective when guided by clear institutional purpose, strong governance, and ethical standards. While AI can enhance efficiency, risk management, and decision‑making, he maintained that human expertise and leadership remain central to achieving real results in governance and enforcement.
Adeniyi also called for deeper collaboration between universities, research institutions, and public agencies to craft practical solutions to emerging digital and governance challenges. He urged universities to move beyond theory and become active contributors to innovation and policy, identifying key research areas where academia can support Customs modernisation, including digital compliance systems, AI‑driven risk‑targeting, public trust communication strategies, and governance of cross‑border data flows. He further urged African countries to develop locally relevant digital governance frameworks anchored in African realities, legal traditions, and developmental priorities, insisting that technological progress must remain accountable to the citizens it is meant to serve.
On the sidelines of the conference, the CGC engaged with heads of other government agencies, scholars, communication professionals, traditional leaders, and institutional leaders on opportunities for joint work in digital research, innovation, community development, and capacity building, reinforcing his vision of a technology‑enabled but human‑centred approach to governance and public service.