By Emmanuel Ogbodo<\/p>\n
Nigeria is set to develop an indigenous blockchain technology called “Nigerium” to enhance data sovereignty and bolster national security, according to the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). This initiative aims to safeguard Nigeria’s data, addressing concerns that foreign-controlled blockchain technologies, such as Ethereum, may not prioritize the country’s interests.<\/p>\n
Kashifu Abdullahi, NITDA\u2019s Director General, highlighted the collaborative effort between the private and public sectors in creating this homegrown blockchain. He emphasized its potential to strengthen national security and protect citizens’ data by granting Nigeria full control over its technological infrastructure.<\/p>\n
“The development of Nigerium represents a significant step towards ensuring that Nigeria\u2019s data remains within our borders and is managed in a manner that aligns with our national interests and security requirements,” Abdullahi stated. “By developing our blockchain, we can tailor its functionalities to meet our specific needs and legal frameworks, unlike foreign alternatives which may impose changes unilaterally.”<\/p>\n
The concept for Nigerium was initially proposed by a delegation from the University of Hertfordshire Law School, led by Chanu Kuppuswamy. This indigenous blockchain is seen as crucial for Nigeria, enabling customization to align with local laws and regulations, providing a level of flexibility and control that foreign blockchain technologies cannot offer.<\/p>\n
In addition to developing Nigerium, the Hertfordshire delegation recommended that Nigeria establish a Data Embassy, housed in a third-party country, to ensure data continuity and resilience against natural disasters, cyber-attacks, and other threats. A Data Embassy would provide a secure backup of critical national data, ensuring that even in the face of severe disruptions, Nigeria\u2019s digital infrastructure remains intact and operational.<\/p>\n
The delegation also suggested harmonizing blockchain technology across government agencies to foster interoperability and synergy. This approach would streamline processes, reduce redundancy, and enhance the overall efficiency of government operations.<\/p>\n
The move towards an indigenous blockchain and the establishment of a Data Embassy underscore Nigeria’s commitment to technological sovereignty and resilience. By taking control of its digital infrastructure, Nigeria aims to mitigate the risks associated with relying on foreign technology providers, whose priorities may not always align with the nation\u2019s best interests.<\/p>\n
As Nigeria advances in its digital transformation journey, the development of Nigerium represents a forward-thinking approach to national security and data sovereignty. The collaborative efforts between the private sector, public institutions, and international partners like the University of Hertfordshire will be crucial in realizing this ambitious project.<\/p>\n
In the broader context, the initiative reflects a growing global trend where nations are increasingly seeking to assert control over their digital ecosystems. As data becomes an ever-more critical asset, the ability to manage and protect it within national borders is becoming a key priority for governments worldwide.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Emmanuel Ogbodo Nigeria is set to develop an indigenous blockchain technology called “Nigerium” to enhance data sovereignty and bolster national security, according to the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). This initiative aims to safeguard Nigeria’s data, addressing concerns that foreign-controlled blockchain technologies, such as Ethereum, may not prioritize the country’s interests. Kashifu Abdullahi, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":21117,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[172],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-37964","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/abujacityjournal.com\/livenews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37964","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/abujacityjournal.com\/livenews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/abujacityjournal.com\/livenews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abujacityjournal.com\/livenews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abujacityjournal.com\/livenews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37964"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/abujacityjournal.com\/livenews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37964\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":37965,"href":"https:\/\/abujacityjournal.com\/livenews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37964\/revisions\/37965"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abujacityjournal.com\/livenews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21117"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/abujacityjournal.com\/livenews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37964"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abujacityjournal.com\/livenews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37964"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abujacityjournal.com\/livenews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37964"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}