President Bola Tinubu on Sunday, April 29, met with Microsoft Founder and Philanthropist, Bill Gates, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Special Meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
During the meeting, President Tinubu spoke extensively about the role technology will play in ensuring his government delivers its promises to the Nigerian people.
Here are five major things the President told Bill Gates during their meeting.
1. Technology is the enemy of corruption
Tinubu told Bill Gates that technology will play a pivotal role in his government’s fight against corruption that has for too long left Nigeria trailing in the community of nations.
According to him, technology is a potent weapon against corruption and financial impropriety in public service. “Technology is the enemy of fraud, corruption, and irregularity,” the President stressed.
2. We are investing in Technology to ensure transparency
Tinubu also assured Mr. Gates that his administration is extensively investing in Technology, especially that which is tailored towards ensuring transparency and accountability in government and accelerating public-sector performance and service delivery to the Nigerian people.
According to the president, work is ongoing to improve the technology architecture that exists at the moment to serve the people effectively.
3. Reliable tech will support new government interventions
President Tinubu further asserted that the tech being improved upon at the moment will be made very reliable as to support a national consumer credit system and many other critical new government interventions for all Nigerians.
4. We will bend the curve and Nigeria will receive the benefits
While noting that resistance is often expected when efforts are made to strengthen systems and forestall malfeasance, the president said Nigeria will at last benefit greatly from the investments being made in technology as it will help birth the promises upon which his administration was voted into power.
“There is always the initial resistance. Corruption, self-interest, and fraudulent activity will always be an enemy, but when you bend that curve, you will receive the benefit. The nation will receive the benefit,” the President buttressed.
5. There is no shortcut
President Tinubu in recounting how he deployed technology to enhance the revenue base of Lagos State while serving as governor, emphasized that there is no other shortcut to improving the economic situation in Nigeria than to invest in technology, remain focused, diligent, and hardworking.
