32,000 young Nigerians have so far benefited from a Blockchain Scholarship program organised by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, presented Certificates of Completion to some of the NITDA Blockchain Scholarship Programme beneficiaries.
Pantami congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to use their skills to contribute to the country’s development.
The beneficiaries, who are drawn from different parts of the country, expressed their gratitude to the minister and NITDA for the opportunity.
Caleb Adekunle, a scholarship beneficiary, said: “Following the programme, I was able to build my product, the Abuja Marketplace, a fast and secure way of buying and selling goods & services in Abuja. I also learned how to build smart contracts and other things.”
Hauwa Abubakar, another beneficiary, said: “Through this programme, I’ve started my journey to being a software developer. I’m now building a logistics software that will be launched later this year.”
Meanwhile, Pantami has officially launched the National Blockchain Policy for Nigeria and inaugurated the National Blockchain Implementation and Steering Committee.
The policy, he noted, will transform the blockchain landscape in Nigeria and usher in a new era of development and prosperity for the country.
He also said the policy would focus on talent development, innovation, and the adoption of critical areas to harness the potential of blockchain technology in Nigeria.
“The future depends largely on disruptive technologies. This policy is for Nigerians, especially our young innovators,” he said.
