Nigeria to Implement Blockchain Certificates for NYSC Graduates

The Nigerian National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) took a move aimed at enhancing the credibility of certificates, as Nigeria is set to leverage blockchain technology for the issuance and validation of these certificates.

Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), revealed this groundbreaking initiative during a Stakeholder Policy Dialogue event centered around the National Blockchain Policy. The NITDA collaborated with the Stakeholders in Blockchain Technology Association of Nigeria (SiBAN) to organize the event.

The NYSC program is a mandatory service for Nigerian university graduates under the age of 30, involving community projects and cross-cultural integration. However, the authenticity of NYSC certificates has been compromised by counterfeiting issues within the country. To address this challenge, NITDA and NYSC are teaming up to implement a blockchain-based certificate authentication system.

By utilizing blockchain technology, the plan is to securely house all NYSC certificates on an immutable and tamper-proof digital ledger.

“By leveraging blockchain’s power, we aim to establish a secure, tamper-proof system that will enable individuals, institutions, and employers to easily verify the authenticity of NYSC certificates.”

Abdullahi said.

Furthermore, NITDA’s Director-General outlined the agency’s intention to utilize blockchain for issuing certificates to individuals who successfully complete training programs under NITDA. He also mentioned the Central Bank of Nigeria’s willingness to collaborate in this endeavor.

Blockchain technology is recognized for its potential to drive economic growth, and Abdullahi expressed optimism about Nigeria’s position in harnessing this potential. He said: 

“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, shared his positive opinion at the gathering, emphasizing that the Nigerian government is embracing a broader vision for the blockchain industry. This includes strengthening collaboration with SiBAN to ensure the robust expansion of the sector.

The implementation of blockchain technology for NYSC certificates aligns with Nigeria’s broader exploration of blockchain applications. The government has recently introduced regulations related to blockchain use and is considering its adoption in various sectors, including financial matters and asset management.

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