Nigeria Plans Homegrown Blockchain to Secure National Database
The Federal Government of Nigeria on Thursday announced plans to develop a homegrown blockchain technology to secure the national database.
Malam Kashifu Inuwa, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), shared this during a meeting with a delegation from the University of Hertfordshire Law School in Abuja.
The delegation proposed engaging the private sector to develop a homegrown blockchain called ‘Nigerium.’
Inuwa noted that NITDA reconstituted the National Blockchain Policy Steering Committee (NBP-SC) in May to tailor the technology to Nigeria’s needs.
“Blockchain technology is evolving with transformative applications, and we are leveraging its dynamic potential. It’s important for the steering committee to consider this research for adoption and implementation,” he said.
Ms. Chanu Kuppuswamy, leader of the delegation, emphasized that an indigenous blockchain system would ensure national database security without foreign influence. She compared this system to a customized product specifically for Nigeria, controlled by the Nigerian government.
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Kuppuswamy suggested that Nigeria should develop an equivalent of Ethereum and integrate all public services and land registries across the 36 states and the FCT.
Dr. Bukola Faturoti, a member of the delegation, advocated for a data embassy, a server in a third-party country governed by Nigerian law, to safeguard national data from cyber-attacks and natural disasters.
“This time, Nigerian data is located in foreign countries, whereby the law of your country is what is operational in that place.
“A data embassy will ensure digital continuity because the data of your country is susceptible to attack and it can also be affected by natural disaster and other activities such as cyber-attack.’’
