Ondo deputy governor champions AI, ethics, inclusivity in tax administration

Ondo State Deputy Governor, Dr. Olayide Adelami, has called on tax professionals across Nigeria to develop a more efficient tax administration system to address existing loopholes and support economic growth.

He made the appeal during the investiture ceremony of Dr. Caroline Ndubuisi as the 6th national chairperson of the Society of Women in Taxation (SWIT), held in Abuja over the weekend.

Speaking through his spokesperson, John Paul Akinduro, Dr. Adelami focused on the theme, “Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Enhanced Tax Administration and Economic Development,” urging tax practitioners to embrace AI technology in their operations.

He said, “For Nigeria, and indeed all emerging economies, AI presents the chance to leapfrog legacy inefficiencies and design systems that are not only smarter, but also fairer. Systems that reduce discretion, diminish corruption, and rebuild the trust between citizens and the state. With AI-driven revenue mobilization, governments gain the capacity to fulfill their mandates—investing in roads, hospitals, schools, and social protections. It creates fiscal space for inclusive growth, and critically, enables the integration of the informal sector into the formal economy—not through coercion, but through empowerment and incentive.”

To harness AI’s potential in tax administration, Dr. Adelami identified three essential pillars: robust data infrastructure, human capital development, and ethics, transparency, and inclusivity.

He also congratulated Dr. Ndubuisi on her appointment, saying, “I’m proud of you and your exploits. I have absolute confidence that you will bring to bear your wealth of experience, dedication to duty and team spirit.”

Senator Ajayi Borrofice, chairman of the event, praised SWIT’s achievements and highlighted the role of artificial intelligence in transforming tax administration.

Mr. Samuel Agbeluyi, President of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), commended SWIT for electing Dr. Ndubuisi, describing her appointment as a “round peg in a round hole.”

In her acceptance speech, Dr. Ndubuisi outlined plans to advance the society through innovative projects aimed at benefiting all members of SWIT.

The event concluded with the swearing-in of Dr. Ndubuisi and other national executives of the association.