Reps Back Blockchain Curriculum Review, Seek Practical Skills Training

The House of Representatives has endorsed a review of Nigeria’s National Blockchain Education Programme curriculum, urging stakeholders to prioritise practical skills, cybersecurity and regulatory compliance in preparing Nigerians for the digital economy.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Delegated Legislation, Mr Richard Bamisile, made the call in Abuja on Wednesday during the opening of a curriculum review meeting organised by the Blockchain Adoption Initiative in collaboration with the African University of Science and Technology, Baze University and Nile University of Nigeria.

Bamisile said blockchain education was important to Nigeria’s technological advancement, economic competitiveness and ability to develop home-grown digital solutions.

He noted that blockchain technology had applications beyond cryptocurrency, including financial services, agriculture, supply-chain management, digital identity and secure record-keeping.

According to him, Nigeria could maximise these opportunities through sustained investment in education, practical skills development, responsible innovation and effective regulation.

The lawmaker said his experience as chairman of the House ad hoc committee on the economic, security and regulatory implications of cryptocurrency adoption and Point-of-Sale operations had reinforced the need for public education and regulatory preparedness.

He disclosed that promoting blockchain education was among the committee’s recommendations, adding that a better understanding of emerging technologies would help Nigerians appreciate their economic potential and associated risks.

Bamisile urged stakeholders to ensure that the revised curriculum went beyond theoretical instruction to include hands-on training, cybersecurity, regulatory compliance and other professional competencies required by the industry.

He said the programme should equip young Nigerians to become innovators, entrepreneurs and problem-solvers capable of developing solutions to local challenges and competing in the global digital economy.

The Director of Information and Communication Technology at Baze University, Dr Alhassan Abdulmutalab, recalled that the institution was among the universities invited by the National Information Technology Development Agency in 2023 to contribute to the development of Nigeria’s national blockchain policy.

He welcomed the collaboration among universities and industry stakeholders, describing the curriculum review as a step towards establishing a comprehensive framework for blockchain education.

Similarly, the Faculty Coordinator for the Continuing Professional Development Programme at AUST, Dr Prisca Onuoha-Iroakazi, reaffirmed her institution’s commitment to practical, industry-oriented education.

She expressed optimism that the partnership would produce a curriculum combining academic instruction with practical experience and industry engagement.

Mrs Janet Oyelade also commended the organisers and regulatory agencies for bringing industry operators and regulators together to address challenges within the blockchain ecosystem.

She said the sector had previously experienced disagreements between operators and regulators, as well as divisions among stakeholders, but engagements with lawmakers had created opportunities for cooperation.

Oyelade added that improved education would help blockchain operators address gaps in anti-money laundering compliance, data protection and cybersecurity while strengthening understanding between businesses and regulators.

The meeting was attended by representatives of regulatory agencies, universities and other stakeholders in the blockchain ecosystem, including the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Central Bank of Nigeria.