NITDA set to verify NYSC certificates with Blockchain technology to minimise frauds

*Malam Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, Director-General of National Information Technology Development Agency, says the revolutionary, technological approach has been designed to ensure the integrity and validity of the National Service Youth Corps certificates to enhance transparency, trust in the entire certification process in Nigeria

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

Nigeria is set to adopt technology to issue Blockchain certificates for NYSC to minimise frauds.

ConsumerConnect reports the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has unveiled an initiative that will use Blockchain technology to authenticate National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates for individuals, groups, academic institutions and organisations.

Malam Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, Director-General of NITDA, Wednesday, August 9, 2023, announced the project during the stakeholders’ policy dialogue event on the ‘Implementation of the national blockchain’, in Lagos.

Inuwa noted that in a move to address the recurring challenge of certificate forgery and fraudulent issuance of sane in the West African country, NITDA would collaborate with Brigadier-General Yusha’u Ahmed, newly appointed Director-General of the National Service, to pioneer the development of an advanced blockchain-based certificate authentication system.

The Director-General of the technology regulatory agency also stated: “The NYSC certificate has been a concern due to widespread cases of forgery and fraudulent issuance.”

According to him, the revolutionary approach was designed to ensure the integrity and validity of NYSC certificates, thereby enhancing transparency and trust in the certification process.

Importance of Blockchain technology in certificate verification, by Inuwa

In regard to the strategic importance of applying the technology to further enhance the integrity of the certification process in the country, Inuwa stressed the potential of Blockchain technology is to bring about a paradigm shift in certificate verification.

“We recognise the urgent need to combat the prevalent issue of forged NYSC certificates in Nigeria.

“By leveraging blockchain’s power, we aim to establish a secure, tamper-proof system that will enable individuals, institutions, and employers to easily verify the authenticity of NYSC certificates,” said the NITDA Chief.