Tinubu Welcomes Customs Data-driven Revolution
*As Adeniyi says 70% of customs revenue comes from Lagos
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday welcomed the data- driven revolution being championed by the Nigeria Customs Service.
Tinubu while noting the importance of data in decision making described it as light guiding the landscape of the country’s economy.
He pointed out that it has been technological application that has hindered Nigeria and the entire continent’s growth trajectory, adding that lack of enough data has affected the ability to arrive at informed decisions.
Represented by the Vice President Kashim Shettima on the occasion of the 2023 Annual Comptroller General of Customs Conference in Lagos, Tinubu said the revolution of data by the customs was in line with federal government vision for the country.
According to Tinubu, “Every part of the world is at the mercy of data, and every day we are reminded of the expanding volume of data upon which our decisions must be rooted. Data is a light guiding the ever-evolving landscape of our modern world, and we can’t function in the dark.
“For far too long we have been hindered by this quail of the fourth industrial revolution what we do is filling the gaps since we took charge to build on what our predecessors have done is what defines us, it is also this realization that stands as the invaluable goal of this century that prompted Mr President’s strategic placement of tax saving Nigerians in critical positions in these appointments to ensure not only strategic planning, but also the cultivation of Nigeria is a hope of refining minds in the global knowledge economy. Even before we were given this mandate, we knew that every facet of our lives is woven with data.
“We will not only commit to deploying data to make decisions within the government, but to address the historical inadequacies of Nigerian policymaking, often impeded by a lack of comprehensive data.
“Our current governance landscape demands a transformative intervention, and the solution is what has brought us here together today. There is no doubt that the timing of this clock of modernity is inviting us to take action.
“Data provides the sharpest lens for us to connect the dots even in establishing the security of our borders, we can easily determine the future of our countries. We can easily determine the traffic of people and goods around a specific border, and share indisputable information with other nations with just a punch on our computers .
“We aspire to position Nigeria as the prepared destination for all stakeholders involved in export and import activities overseen by the Nigerian Customs Service.
“While I am proud of the ambitions of the Nigeria Customs Service to accumulate vast crop of data and utilize data analytics to shape a public service system that upholds data integrity at its core, I also know that the first brick of this journey is investing in the training and capacity building of our Customs Officers to stand shoulder-to-shoulder, terabyte by terabyte, to build the infrastructure that will provide the best minds in the world”
In his speech Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, said that 70 percent of the customs revenue comes from Lagos.
This was as Adeniyi said the service had adapted to the “ever-evolving landscape of global trade, beyond its traditional role of safeguarding borders”.
According to the CGC, “Lagos houses 40 per cent of our commands, contributing over 70 per cent of our monthly revenue. It is not just a location on the map; it is a cornerstone for Nigeria Customs Service, symbolising the integral role in the economic narrative of our great nation.
“And as we navigate through the agenda of today, we will hope that the synergy of Lagos and Customs inspire us to enhance operations and contribute significantly to the economic prosperity of Nigeria.
“Customs has evolved into a vital catalyst for economic growth and development in this era, characterised by relentless change. Customs has emerged as a paragon of resilience and adaptability, eagerly embracing technology and global best practices to remain at the forefront of its mission and standing at a crossroads of innovation, and tradition”
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