The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Director-General has revealed that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates in Nigeria will be generated and validated using blockchain technology.
Nigeria’s National Youth Service Corps program requires university graduates under 30 to complete a year of community development initiatives and cross-cultural integration as part of national service.
This statement was made during the Stakeholders’ Policy Dialogue, which centered on implementing the National Blockchain Policy. NITDA organized the gathering with the Stakeholders in Blockchain Association of Nigeria (SiBAN).
Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the Director-General of NITDA, emphasized that the NYSC certificate has been the subject of extensive forgery in Nigeria.
As a result, the Director-General reached out to NITDA for assistance, and an agreement was reached to assist in developing a blockchain-based certificate authentication system.
This initiative intends to store all NYSC certificates on the blockchain, allowing individuals to verify and authenticate them easily.
In addition, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi outlined the plan to issue blockchain-backed certificates to individuals who have effectively completed NITDA training programs. He also emphasized the Central Bank of Nigeria’s willingness to collaborate with the broader ecosystem.
According to the president of NITDA, blockchain possesses significant economic potential, and its application in issuing certificates is a tangible way to explore the vast prospects of blockchain technology. Abdullahi remarked
“I believe blockchain, with the ability to add $1.7 trillion to the global GDP, will be a good technology for Nigeria to leverage. And if we position ourselves well based on the BWC report, Nigeria can add about $40 billion to its GDP by 2030.”
Obinna Iwuno, president of SiBAN, was a prominent figure at the meeting, where he expressed optimism regarding the sector’s prospects. He emphasized that the government has adopted a grander vision for the future of our industry.
As a result, they have begun to adopt a broader and more expansive perspective, expressing their willingness to establish even stronger collaborations with the SiBAN to ensure the industry’s robust growth.
