By 
The Nigerian government sees fast adoption of blockchain in the country as emerging technologies gain grounds helped by the global COVID-19 pandemic.
In recognition of this, government is already setting the agenda for this adoption by aiming to fulfil three conditions that could accelerate the deployment of blockchain, said Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami.
The minister while speaking at the ‘Panel Discussion: Blockchain – The end of unearned education’ listed those conditions as the need for government to implement policies to drive emerging technologies including blockchain; proactive regulatory frameworks to guide blockchain deployment in public and private sectors; and lastly, awareness creation on the benefits of blockchain and other emerging technologies.
According to Pantami, the Nigerian government, in pursuit of its digital academy agenda, has largely met these conditions and sees rapid adoption of blockchain in Africa’s largest economy as the country embraces digitisation of its economy.
“Nigeria is working towards becoming the leading nation in the digital economy,” said Pantami adding: “Nigeria has developed a digital economy policy that has eight pillars that crave for investments. Pillar 7 speaks about ‘Digital Society and Emerging Technologies’ and addresses issues around Blockchain Technology.”
Other panellists include Anna Juusela of Encourage.fi; Dr Maria Papadaki of the British University in Dubai; Abdulqader Ali of Smartworld; and INSEAD’s Aly Madhavji.
Pantami, who is leading the strong Nigerian presence at the 40th edition of GITEX, agreed that the consensus opinion favoured the rapid adoption of blockchain including the shift to virtual currencies and digital assets but effective guidelines are required to protect consumers and ensure the economy is not preyed on.
Papadaki agreed on the need for awareness in the industry and even much more, a collaborative environment including the necessary legal framework to drive trust in the emerging sector.
