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Adeniyi made the call while delivering a keynote address at the 4th Biennial International Conference organised by the University of Ilorin in collaboration with RUDN University, where stakeholders examined the impact of disruptive technologies and artificial intelligence on governance and the digital economy.
He said the rapid expansion of digital payments, e-commerce, artificial intelligence and smart technologies has already reshaped global trade and public sector operations, making it imperative for institutions to adopt technology in ways that improve efficiency, transparency and trust.
Highlighting the business impact of digital reforms within the Nigeria Customs Service, Adeniyi said the deployment of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System has significantly improved trade facilitation, cargo processing and inter-agency operations.
According to him, the platform generated over N230 billion in revenue at the PTML Command within its first eight months of operation, while reducing cargo clearance timelines for compliant traders to less than eight hours, underscoring the economic benefits of digital innovation in public administration.
He noted that artificial intelligence should complement human expertise rather than replace it, stressing that strong leadership and institutional accountability remain essential for effective governance in an increasingly automated environment.
Adeniyi also urged stronger collaboration between academia, research institutions and government agencies to develop practical solutions for digital governance, trade modernisation and policy innovation.
He identified research opportunities in digital compliance systems, AI-driven risk management, public trust communication and cross-border data governance, adding that African countries must build locally relevant digital frameworks that align with regional realities and development priorities.