Peter Obi to embrace Blockchain technology if elected

The application of Blockchain technology is being embraced by the governments of most countries, however, it is yet to be explored by government of some other countries. As Nigeria looks to a change in leadership in its forthcoming 2023 election, the nation is curious about what is likely to change in the new administration that would drive a positive course for her. 

This curiosity is confirmed in programs like the just concluded Youth Dialogue with the theme “The Nigeria We Want.” Youths represented by key individuals in the different spheres interacted in a question and answer panel session with one of the Presidential candidate aspirants for the Nigeria 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi. 

Representing IT/Blockchain is the President-elect of the Blockchain in Nigeria and he explained that Blockchain is the driver of the 4th industrial revolution and we have so many things that Blockchain technology can solve and it’s already been implemented in some countries. Talk about a country like Estonia which has over 90% of its system running in Blockchain now, he said. He added that the use of the Blockchain spans across education, agriculture, health, supply line management, and more. 

His questions to the presidential candidate were in two directions, firstly he asked, “What is the stand of your government when you come in as the president concerning Blockchain technology?” Secondly, bordering on the most popular use of the Blockchain which is cryptocurrency, the financial aspect of the Blockchain. “When you get into government will you also take the same hostile approach of this government on cryptocurrency or would you take the kind of approach that Dubai as a state has taken?”

On his second question, he emphasized that the present administration in the Nigerian government has been hostile towards cryptocurrency exercised in its policies. “Majority of your supporters are youths and I can tell you categorically being an executive and president-elect president of the Blockchain association in Nigeria. We have over 17 million young people who are already interacting with the Blockchain and cryptocurrency. And this present administration has a hostile approach towards cryptocurrency,” he said. 

He added that for a country like Dubai, creating a favourable environment for crypto and crypto firms to thrive has some ways to add to the economy of the country. “If you look at a country like Dubai that has created an economic free zone for cryptocurrency it has made the majority of the global crypto companies move to Dubai to set up offices which is a plus for their government.

Running an  administration is what Mr. Peter Obi seems to be heading for in his administration. In his response to the questions, he stated that to tackle the Blockchain adoption issue in Nigeria he would stand with what will make the nation work. “Whatever that can make this country work. We will have youths and women driving these forces, and whatever they have that will make it work I will stand with them.” 

While he expressed that his knowledge of the Blockchain technology and how it works is limited he is however open to listening and learning. “For me listening and learning is the number one job of a leader. He further mentioned that “you can’t stop an idea because you will be stopping yourself. Those who live in yesterday and today cannot see tomorrow. If the people have an idea about tomorrow why don’t you listen to them? I’m not in it probably, but I have people around me, and my son believes in it. 

Finally, he assured the youths that his administration will embrace Blockchain technology. “I assure you that Blockchain technology is driving a lot of profits and we will embrace it. In cryptocurrency, we will study it and see how it can help us.”

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