By Seun Ibiyemi
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed his commitment to responsible digital transformation and innovation-driven governance during 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 conference, themed “Disruptive Technology: Human and Artificial Intelligence in the Digital Economy,” was held on Wednesday at the University of Ilorin Main Auditorium and attracted academics, communication scholars, technology experts, researchers, heads of government agencies and policymakers.
Delivering the keynote address, Adeniyi stressed the need for institutions to balance technological advancement with human responsibility, noting that the future of the digital economy depends 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 said.
The Customs boss observed that disruptive technologies such as digital payments, e-commerce, artificial intelligence and smart technologies have already transformed global systems, adding that the world is no longer preparing for disruption but already operating within it.
According to him, government institutions must ensure that innovation strengthens public trust, transparency and operational efficiency rather than weakening accountability structures.
Drawing from the experience of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adeniyi highlighted the agency’s ongoing digital transformation initiatives, 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 more than 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,” Adeniyi stated, adding that technology is most effective when guided by clear institutional purpose and strong ethical standards.
He further noted that while artificial intelligence can enhance efficiency, risk management and decision-making, human expertise and leadership remain essential to effective governance and enforcement operations.
“Technology changes processes; leadership and expertise still deliver the results,” he added.
The Comptroller-General also called for stronger collaboration among universities, research institutions and public agencies to develop practical solutions to emerging digital and governance challenges.
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He urged universities to move beyond theoretical learning and become active drivers of innovation and policy development.
Adeniyi identified key research areas where academia can support Customs modernisation efforts, including digital compliance systems, artificial intelligence-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 rooted in African realities, legal systems and developmental priorities, stressing that technological advancement must remain accountable to citizens.
On the sidelines of the conference, the Customs boss engaged with heads of government agencies, scholars, communication professionals, traditional rulers and institutional leaders on opportunities for collaboration in digital research, innovation, community development and capacity building
