The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has called for the ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and human leadership across public institutions in Nigeria.
CGC Adeniyi made the call while delivering his 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, at the university’s main auditorium on Wednesday.
The international conference, themed “Disruptive Technology: Human and Artificial Intelligence in the Digital Economy,” brought together academics, communication scholars, technology experts, researchers, heads of sister agencies, and policymakers to examine the growing impact of digital innovation and artificial intelligence on governance, education, trade, and economic development.
Adeniyi stressed the need for institutions to strike a balance between technological advancement and 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 stated.
He affirmed that disruptive technology has already transformed global systems through digital payments, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, and smart technologies, emphasising that the world is no longer preparing for disruption but already operating within it.
The Customs boss noted that government institutions must ensure that innovation strengthens public trust, transparency, and operational efficiency rather than weakening accountability structures.
Reflecting on the Nigeria Customs Service experience, CGC Adeniyi highlighted the Service’s ongoing digital transformation initiatives, particularly the deployment of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System, which, according to him, has enhanced trade facilitation, cargo processing, and inter-agency collaboration.
He disclosed that the platform generated over ₦230 billion at the Ports and Terminal Multiservices Limited (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,” he said, maintaining that technology remains most effective when guided by clear institutional purpose and strong ethical standards.
Adeniyi also pointed out that while artificial intelligence can improve efficiency, risk management, and decision-making, human expertise and leadership remain central to effective governance and enforcement operations.
“Technology changes processes; leadership and expertise still deliver the results,” he added.
He further called for stronger collaboration among universities, research institutions, and public agencies to develop practical solutions to emerging digital and governance challenges.
While urging universities to move beyond theoretical learning to become active drivers of innovation and policy development, Adeniyi highlighted several 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 equally urged African countries to develop locally relevant digital governance frameworks rooted in African realities, legal systems, and developmental priorities, stating that technological advancement must remain accountable to the citizens it serves.
Similarly, the CGC engaged with heads of other government agencies, scholars, communication professionals, traditional leaders, and institutional leaders on opportunities for collaboration in digital research, innovation, community development, and capacity building.
