The Nigerian government yesterday in Abuja officially launched the national policy on Blockchain technology and inaugurated Implementation & Steering Committee to oversee its implementation.
The launch of the policy is part of efforts by the federal government to promote the adoption of blockchain technology in Nigeria and to position the country as a leading player in the global blockchain ecosystem.
Speaking at the launch, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, noted the importance of Blockchain technology to the nation’s Digital Economy drive and to the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
“Blockchain Technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, Cloud & Quantum Computing, Virtual & Augmented Reality, Autonomous Vehicle, Bio Technology, 5G, Cyber Security, are all disruptive technologies brought by the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Nigeria is one of the, at least three countries in Africa, that are actively involved in the 4th Industrial Revolution,” he said.
With the development and subsequent approval of the National Blockchain Policy on the 3rd of May, 2023, Prof. Pantami confirmed that Blockchain technology and all its components and types are no more illegal but now legal in the Country.
Prior to the approval of the policy, a total of 56 stakeholders and institutions were engaged in the scrutiny of the document.
“This policy is to provide an enabling environment for your teaming young population who are mostly digital natives to partake in critical thinking, identify complex problems, come up with solutions for the implementation of adoption in Nigeria or any parts of the world”, Prof. Pantami stressed.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, who earlier welcomed guests to the auspicious occasion said that the event signaled a remarkable milestone in the journey towards achieving a Digital Nigeria where citizens have access to the latest technology, skills and a conducive environment to innovate in the realm of the Blockchain Technology.
“The Blockchain policy will give our citizens the opportunity to create and capture value from the enormous benefits of the tech,” he said.