Blockchain to Revolutionise Identity, Land Administration in Nigeria – Expert

Last updated Apr 14, 2025

The founder of the Blockchain Nigeria User Group, Mr Chiemezie Chuta, has highlighted the transformative power of blockchain technology in reshaping identity management in Nigeria.

Speaking at the Science and Technology Conference hosted by the ICT Group of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Saturday, Chuta emphasised that Nigeria’s national blockchain policy identifies identity management as a crucial area for harnessing the benefits of this emerging technology.

The conference, themed “Transforming Ideas, Businesses, and Governance through Basic Technologies: Leveraging AI, Blockchain, and Cloud,” explored how foundational technologies can drive innovation.

Blockchain, an advanced database system, enables transparent and secure information sharing across business networks by storing data in linked blocks.

Mr Chiemezie Chuta noted that one of the three key pillars of Nigeria’s blockchain policy—innovation, adoption, and talent development—places special emphasis on leveraging blockchain to create trustworthy identity systems. He underscored the growing importance of reliable and verifiable identities in today’s highly connected world.

“Blockchain technology offers a unique solution to creating identity systems where individuals can be certain of who they are interacting with online and offline.

“The ability to ascertain the authenticity of an identity, verified and issued by a trusted entity, is paramount.

“Also, blockchain’s inherent security features can mitigate risks by creating tamper-proof and auditable identity records,” he said.

Emphasising additional benefits of blockchain technology, Chuta stated that it has the potential to streamline cross-border payments, transactions, and remittances, making them more efficient and affordable. This, he noted, is particularly vital for Nigerian families who depend on financial support from relatives abroad.

He highlighted the shortcomings of traditional money transfer systems, such as high fees, delays, and security concerns, and pointed out that blockchain can effectively address these issues.

Chuta also underscored blockchain’s potential to combat corruption and unlock the economic value of land assets by establishing transparent and tamper-proof land records. He explained that the absence of reliable land documentation often prevents access to credit, as financial institutions are reluctant to issue loans without secure collateral.

The blockchain expert also emphasised the importance of officially recognising digital assets within the capital market, as outlined in the amended Investment and Securities Act. He noted that this step could position Nigeria at the forefront of the growing digital economy.

Chuta encouraged Nigerian innovators to channel their efforts into creating practical blockchain-based solutions targeting critical sectors like identity management, financial services, and land administration. He asserted that such innovations would deliver substantial benefits to both the nation’s economy and its people.

“The adoption of blockchain technology will drive economic growth and development in Nigeria and also encourage stakeholders to leverage the technology to solve pressing challenges facing the country,” he said.

Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, underscored the importance of establishing a robust legal framework to support the adoption of emerging technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence.

He noted that the state government has begun leveraging blockchain technology to enhance the efficiency of land transactions. Pedro revealed that, thanks to technological advancements, he had signed over 50 certificates of authority in a single day. He added that the state is collaborating with the land department to digitize land records and eliminate procedural delays.

As a policymaker, Pedro emphasised the responsibility of the government to ensure that regulatory frameworks keep pace with innovation—promoting growth, fairness, and public confidence.

Pedro stressed that technology should not function in isolation but must be guided by legal and ethical standards across all areas of application. He further noted that while blockchain and AI offer tremendous potential, substantial effort is still required to ensure their integration aligns with Nigeria’s existing legal frameworks.

NAN/Oluchi