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Establish AI Commission To Tackle Revenue Leakages, PAAC Advises Tinubu
The Chairman, Pan African American Chamber of Commerce, Prof. Olatokunbo Onabanjo, has advised President Bola Tinubu to establish Artificial Intelligence Commission(AI) to address revenue leakages in the country.
Onabanjo, in an interview with The Tide’s source, in Lagos, yesterday, said establishing Artificial Intelligence Commission(AI) would turn around Nigeria’s education, health, housing, trade and tourism sectors among others.
“With the establishment of Artificial Intelligence Commission, and by integrating AI algorithms into the government’s financial systems, suspicious transactions and patterns can be automatically flagged for further investigation.
“AI can analyse large volumes of data in real-time, identify anomalies, and detect potential cases of fraud or revenue leakage,” he said.
Onabanjo, who was the Director of Computer Services during Tinubu’s administration as governor of Lagos State, called for enhanced Data Analytics Capabilities through utilisation of Enterprises Resources Planning(Oracle ERP) system to gather data from various government departments and agencies.
“By leveraging on AI-powered analytics tools, the government can gain valuable insights into revenue collection, expenditure patterns, and identify areas where leakages are occurring.
“This data-driven approach will help to identify loopholes and develop strategies to plug them,” he said.
Onabanjo, a seasoned project manager and member of Certified Project Management Professionals, said that the use of AI would also strengthen tax compliance and revenue collection by government.
“AI can be employed to automate the tax collection process, ensuring accurate and efficient assessment, billing, and collection of taxes.
“AI algorithms will analyse tax data, identify potential tax evaders, and facilitate targeted enforcement actions. This can help increase tax compliance and revenue generation.
“ERP systems will also be utilised to streamline and automate procurement processes.
“AI-powered analytics will help identify discrepancies, detect fraud, and ensure transparency in procurement transactions. This can minimise leakage and corruption in procurement activities.
“AI will assist in identifying potential risks and vulnerabilities in revenue collection processes.
“By analysing historical data and patterns, AI algorithms can predict potential areas of revenue leakage and enable proactive measures to mitigate risks,” he said.
Onabanjo said that implementing ERP systems would facilitate data sharing and collaboration among different government agencies involved in revenue collection and management.
According to him, this will enable real-time data exchange, improve coordination, and enhance visibility into revenue-related activities, making it easier to identify and address leakages.
The PAAC chairman called on the government to also invest in capacity building.
“To effectively leverage AI and ERP resources, it is essential to invest in training government personnel to use these technologies.
“Building a skilled workforce that can handle data analysis, AI algorithms, and ERP systems will ensure the successful implementation and utilization of these resources.
“It’s important to note that addressing revenue leakages requires a holistic approach, including policy reforms, enforcement mechanisms, and transparency initiatives.
“AI and ERP resources can complement these efforts by providing advanced tools and insights to identify and tackle revenue leakages effectively,” he stated.
He was of the view that Oracle ERP implementation could streamline government processes, improve data management, and promote transparency in financial transactions.
According to him, this will help the government in making informed decisions, reducing inefficiencies, and minimising corruption.
Onabanjo said: “ERP systems can consolidate and automate various administrative functions, leading to cost savings in areas such as procurement, inventory management, and payroll.
“This can free up resources that can be redirected towards other developmental initiatives.
“With an efficient ERP system in place, government departments can provide better services to citizens.
“Streamlined processes and improved data management can result in faster response times, reduced bureaucracy, and enhanced service quality.”
According to him, ERP systems generate vast amounts of data, which can be analysed to gain insights and support evidence-based decision making.
He said that it could help the government to identify trends, evaluate policy effectiveness, and allocate resources more effectively.
“In addition to ERP implementation, the integration of AI technologies can further benefit the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“AI has the potential to automate repetitive tasks, enhance data analysis capabilities, and improve decision-making processes,” he disclosed.
He listed few the ways AI could help to include Intelligent Automation, Data Analysis and Predictive Modelling, Fraud Detection and Cybersecurity among others.
“AI-powered automation can streamline processes across various government departments, increasing efficiency, and reducing human error. This can lead to improved service delivery and cost savings,” he stated.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the nomination of four new members to the Governing Council of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement yesterday, said the appointment is to fill existing vacancies and strengthen the board’s capacity.
The statement said the approved nominees are Mr. Olusegun Omosehin of the National Insurance Commission and Engr. Wole Ogunsanya of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria.
Tinubu also endorsed the nomination of Sam Onyechi, who represents the Nigerian Content Consultative Forum and Barrister Owei Oyanbo from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.
The President encouraged the new members to leverage their expertise and dedication to enhance local content development within Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
It added, “The nominations arose from the exit of previous institutional representatives from the Governing Council.
“The NCDMB Governing Council, established under Section 69 of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, 2010, comprises representatives from key institutions.
“These include the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, the Nigerian Content Consultative Forum, and the National Insurance Commission.”
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has announced plans to construct additional hostels, rehabilitate roads, and enhance power supply in the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT).
NDDC’s Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, disclosed this during a visit to the commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, yesterday by a delegation from the UNIPORT’s Governing Council.
Ogbuku stated that the NDDC had committed to upgrading facilities at UNIPORT as part of efforts to foster partnership with educational institutions across the Niger Delta.
According to him, the implementation of additional projects at the university forms part of a broader strategy to improve education standards in the region.
“Aside from the construction of new hostel blocks and installation of a 300 KVA solar inverter system, the NDDC will also facilitate more projects in the university.
“The commission will also deploy its engineers to assess the condition of UNIPORT’s roads and hostels for potential rehabilitation,” he said.
Ogbuku noted that upon completion, the projects would add to various initiatives previously undertaken by the commission at the university.
“These and other projects reflect our commitment to actualising President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the Niger Delta region,” he added.
He reaffirmed the NDDC’s dedication to fostering development and strengthening partnerships across the region.
Earlier, Sen. Mao Ohuanbunwa, Chairman of UNIPORT’s Governing Council, who led the delegation commended the current leadership of the NDDC for its achievements in accelerating development in the Niger Delta.
He highlighted the university’s infrastructural challenges, noting that it lacked adequate facilities to accommodate its growing student population, and appealed for the NDDC’s support in addressing the shortfall.
“Currently, UNIPORT has a total student population of about 50,000, while its hostel accommodation capacity can only cater for 5,000 students.
“We therefore urge the NDDC to assist in the construction of additional hostels, improve transportation facilities, and facilitate the acquisition of gas turbines to enhance power supply for our students,” Ohuanbunwa pleaded.
The Vice Chancellor of UNIPORT, Prof. Owunari Georgewill, commended NDDC for its impactful projects across the Niger Delta and extended an invitation to the commission to participate in the institution’s forthcoming 50th anniversary celebrations.
The Senate has rejected a motion to rename the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters after the former chairman of the defunct National Electoral Commission, late Prof Humphrey Nwosu.
Nwosu presided over the June 12, 1993, presidential election, which was truncated by the former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd).
The election which was won by the late business mogul, Chief MKO Abiola, was adjudged to be the freest and fairest in the electoral history of Nigeria.
The motion to rename INEC after Nwosu was re-sponsored by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe yesterday after lawmakers threw it out last Wednesday.
Abaribe called for posthumous national honours to be conferred on Nwosu in recognition of his role in Nigeria’s democratic evolution.
However, the proposal sparked a heated debate once again, with lawmakers deeply divided over Nwosu’s legacy.
Senator Osita Ngwu acknowledged that Nwosu operated under a military regime, which restricted his ability to announce the results.
He argued that “there was no way he would have announced the results with a gun to his head. That doesn’t change the fact that some of us see him as a hero.”
Senator Austin Akobundu, however, described it as most uncharitable for lawmakers to dismiss Nwosu’s contributions, insisting that he deserved a place in Nigeria’s hall of honour.
On the other hand, several senators like Senator Jimoh Ibrahim dismissed the idea outright, questioning why the Senate should honour someone who failed to announce the results insisting that “nothing should be named after him”.
Senator Cyril Fasuyi argued that history does not reward efforts, but only results.
“As long as he did not announce the result, whether under duress or not, I am against naming INEC headquarters after him,” he submitted.
Also, Senator Sunday Karimi criticised Nwosu for lacking the courage to speak out, while Senator Afolabi Salisu warned that immortalising him would undermine the memory of MKO Abiola, the widely accepted winner of the June 12, 1993, annulled election.
“Any attempt to do anything beyond a one-minute silence is to rubbish Abiola’s legacy,” he tendered.
After intense deliberation, most senators rejected the motion through a voice vote.
They, however, agreed to honour him with a one-minute silence and extend condolences to his family, effectively dismissing the other prayers to immortalise Nwosu.