Nigeria to develop indigenous blockchain

The Federal Government announced plans on Thursday to develop a Nigeria blockchain technology aimed at protecting the national database and enhancing security.

This initiative was discussed during a visit by a delegation from the University of Hertfordshire’s Law School, United Kingdom, to the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in Abuja.

Malam Kashifu Inuwa, Director-General of NITDA, highlighted the agency’s efforts in reconstituting the National Blockchain Policy Steering Committee (NBP-SC) in May to adapt blockchain technology to Nigeria’s specific needs.

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“Blockchain technology is evolving with increasingly transformative applications, and we are leveraging its dynamic potential,” Inuwa stated. He encouraged the delegation to present their research to the steering committee for consideration and potential implementation.

Ms. Chanu Kuppuswamy, leading the delegation, emphasized the importance of developing an indigenous blockchain system to ensure that decisions regarding the national database remain under Nigerian control and are not compromised by foreign developers.

“An indigenous blockchain is like having a completely customized new product for the Nigerian terrain,” Kuppuswamy explained. “In this case, the smart contract is controlled by the Nigerian government on behalf of the Nigerian people.”

Kuppuswamy recommended developing a blockchain equivalent to Ethereum, which would allow for the integration of all public services and land registries across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Dr. Bukola Faturoti, another member of the delegation, proposed the establishment of a data embassy to back up Nigeria’s national data.

A data embassy, according to Faturoti, would be a server hosted in a third-party country, similar to Nigerian embassies abroad, ensuring digital continuity and protection against cyber-attacks and natural disasters.