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Experts Weigh Blockchain Option for Nigeria’s Elections Process

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As Nigeria continues to grapple with the challenges of electoral transparency and voter trust, stakeholders in the blockchain industry are proposing a technological pivot.

In an X (formerly Twitter) Space hosted by the Stakeholders in Blockchain Technology Association of Nigeria (SiBAN) yesterday, themed ‘From Ballot to Blocks: Can Blockchain Fix Nigeria’s Elections?’, the experts argued that while blockchain is not a magic wand, it offers a robust framework to eliminate result manipulation and addresses voter apathy.

The discussion, featuring key industry figures including Oluwaseun Dania, CEO of Alpha-Geek Technologies, Harry Ugorji, CEO of Egoras Technology, Mela Claude Ake, President of SiBAN, Mr. Taiwo Gbadegesin, Head of Voter Education for INEC Lagos and others, highlighted a shift from traditional voting toward a more immutable and verifiable system.

Opening the floor, Oluwaseun Dania noted that while Nigeria’s electoral processes have improved, a crisis of confidence remains the primary hurdle, even as he identified voter apathy as a direct symptom of people feeling their votes are not counted during the transmission and collation stages.

“The real opportunity is actually much simpler. Blockchain is not there to change how Nigerians vote, but to technically protect the integrity of the votes that are cast. People will be more confident knowing that as they are casting their votes, the results are being recorded on the blockchain, visible to everybody all over the world,” Dania explained.

According to him, by providing a time-stamped and properly verified system without the possibility of manipulation, the blockchain technology could incentivize millions of disillusioned citizens to return to the polls.

Despite the enthusiasm, the experts maintained a level of cautious optimism, citing Nigeria’s unique challenges, such as low internet penetration and limited digital literacy.

Dania proposed a hybrid model instead of making an immediate jump to full e-voting, starting with foundational elements, such as moving National Identification Numbers (NIN) and voter registers onto a secure blockchain.

He also recommended using blockchain specifically for result transmission to record and audit votes, ensuring no data is altered between polling units and collation centers. Additionally, he advised building simplified, easy-to-use front-end tools so the average voter does not need to understand the underlying complexity of smart contracts.

Contributing to the technical feasibility, Harry Ugorji proposed leveraging existing party systems as a testing ground before a national rollout. He addressed the gas fee problem, suggesting an infrastructure where polling agents sign results with private keys without bearing the cost.

“They have to scan the EC8A form. Once they scan and upload, there should be an AI-based layer that extracts that information and transmits it to the smart contracts. This data can be saved using IPFS (InterPlanetary File System) so that at every point in time, everybody can verify that data,” Ugorji stated.

Ugorji envisioned a data-streaming electoral process where votes are calculated in real-time, removing the black box period where manipulation often occurs.

Also speaking, Mr. Taiwo Gbadegesin, Head of Voter Education for INEC Lagos, emphasized that election management is a continuous cycle involving critical behind-the-scenes work, such as monitoring party primaries and evaluating new political associations.

However, he highlighted the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) process as the most vital touchpoint for the general public. This phase typically ramps up 18 to 24 months before a general election, specifically targeting citizens who have recently reached the voting age of 18 or those who need to update their registration status.

A significant focus of Gbadegesin’s address was the technological improvement of the registration process through online pre-registration. “This system allows Nigerians, including those currently abroad, to initiate their registration, request card transfers to closer polling units, or update personal details like marital name changes from their mobile devices,” Taiwo, who was represented by Mr. Ayopo Lawal, Head of Unit, Voter Education, explained.

According to him, by shifting the data entry to the user, INEC aims to eliminate clerical errors caused by staff fatigue or large crowds, ensuring that voters’ personal information is captured with 100% accuracy.

Furthermore, Gbadegesin stressed that these digital advancements are designed to maximize efficiency at physical registration centers. “For those who utilize the pre-registration portal, the final in-person visit is strictly limited to capturing biometric data, such as fingerprints and facial features.

This streamlined approach reduces the time spent at the center to under five minutes, significantly easing the burden on both the public and INEC officials while ensuring the electoral roll remains robust and up-to-date,” he added.

As SIBAN expressed a strong willingness to collaborate with INEC and serve in some advisory capacity if necessary, the discussion highlighted that this event is part of an ongoing series designed to keep the momentum of the conversation alive.

The overarching consensus among speakers was that Nigeria should adopt a test-run approach, implementing these digital tools at smaller scales, such as university student union elections or secondary school representative polls. By starting with these micro-elections, the country can build essential public trust and technical familiarity before scaling to a national level.

As the conversation concluded, the experts agreed that while the technology is ready, success depends on regulatory approval and a willingness from stakeholders to embrace a system where data, once recorded, is permanent and beyond the reach of any single authority.


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EFCC Declares Tejuosho, City Boys Movement’s Women Leader Wanted over “419”

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Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC,) has declared Halimat Adenike Tejuosho, a women leader of the City Boys Movement, wanted.

EFCC Declares Tejuosho, City Boys Movement’s Women Leader Wanted over "419"

Halimat Adenike Tejuosho,

A notice issued by the EFCC on Monday via X said Tejuosho has been declared wanted over an alleged case of obtaining money by false pretence.

The notice was signed by Dele Oyewale, head of Media and Publicity for the EFCC.

The anti-graft agency called on members of the public with useful information about her whereabouts to contact any of its offices nationwide.

The Commission also urged the members of the public to reach out via its official phone lines or email, or report to the nearest police station or other security agencies.

Recall that the City Boy Movement recently appointed Tejuosho as the South-West Zonal Women Leader.

According to a statement signed by the Movement, Tejuosho is to provide strategic leadership and coordination for women-focused activities in the zone, driving political mobilization, civic engagement, and advocacy.

 


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Afreximbank to Fund 3 New Refineries in Nigeria

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African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has disclosed plans to finance three additional refineries in Nigeria as part of a broader push to reduce the country’s reliance on imported petroleum products and strengthen local refining capacity.

 Afreximbank to Fund 3 New Refineries in Nigeria

Denys Denya, senior executive vice president of the bank, made the disclosure on Monday during a virtual media briefing focused on the institution’s 2025 financial performance, crisis response initiatives, and long-term industrialisation strategy.

“We are also financing refining on the continent, which will alleviate the importation of refined products. We are not only supporting Dangote; we’re supporting three other refineries in Nigeria,” Denya said.

The briefing, which focused on the bank’s 2025 financial performance, crisis response initiatives, and industrialisation strategy, also featured a question-and-answer session with journalists across Africa.

Denya explained that the push into refining is driven by recent disruptions in global supply chains, particularly linked to tensions in the Middle East, which have raised the cost and complexity of fuel imports for African economies.

According to him, Afreximbank has adopted a dual approach of supporting immediate trade finance needs while investing in long-term productive capacity to reduce structural import dependence.

He said, “For import-dependent economies, the cost of import is very high… so we have taken a proactive approach of engaging with financial institutions on the continent to increase their facilities so they can issue high-value letters of credit.”

The bank’s intervention is backed by a $10bn Gulf Crisis Response Programme, designed to stabilise access to essential imports such as fuel, food, fertilisers, and pharmaceuticals, while also supporting sectors exposed to global shocks.

Denya noted that the facility is already seeing uptake from countries including Kenya, Ethiopia, and Tanzania, warning that demand could accelerate if geopolitical tensions persist.

Beyond short-term interventions, the Afreximbank executive stressed that financing refining projects across Nigeria and other African countries remains central to the bank’s long-term strategy of industrialisation and export development.

He said the bank’s support for large-scale industrial projects, including the Dangote Group refinery, reflects its commitment to reducing Africa’s reliance on imported refined products and strengthening regional value chains.

“Our support for industrialists who are making a difference on the continent is testimony to this approach. We will continue to champion projects that reduce Africa’s reliance on imported refined products,” he added.

Denya further disclosed that the bank is financing similar refining projects in Angola as part of a continent-wide push to achieve self-sufficiency in petroleum products.

The shift towards local refining, he explained, is also expected to improve macroeconomic stability by reducing foreign exchange pressures associated with fuel imports.

 


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MTN Powers the Ultimate Youth Link-Up with the Launch of Live It 100 Youth Campaign

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The Gathering on 100 has officially concluded its pilot edition, closing out 100 continuous hours of culture, creativity, and community engagement at the National Stadium, Surulere. At the climax of the five-day immersive youth experience, MTN Nigeria and the gatherers of the event unveiled the defining message of the movement: “Live It 100.”

MTN Powers the Ultimate Youth Link-Up with the Launch of Live It 100 Youth Campaign

The event brought together thousands of young Nigerians in a massive convergence of music, sports, gaming, and creative sessions. From watching the sunrise for four consecutive mornings to actively shaping culture in real-time, attendees experienced a shared journey rooted in endurance and expression.

Operating under a partnership model rather than a traditional corporate sponsorship, MTN stepped back to let the youth lead. The techo embraced the primary narrative that “The Gathering is the fire; MTN is the oxygen”.

Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, said: “The energy we have witnessed here in Surulere over the past 100 hours is proof of the unstoppable spirit of the Nigerian youth. Our strategic intent was to position MTN as the critical engine behind this vibrant youth movement, ensuring the brand is seen as an enabler, not an intruder. The Gathering is the fire; MTN is the oxygen. ‘Live It 100’ is our commitment to powering the platform where the conversation happens. We are giving them the autonomy to lead, while we listen.”

A focal point of the event was the high-stakes Pitchathon segment, which provided a structured arena for startups to showcase working products. Rather than a traditional, heavily branded corporate event, the space felt authentic, unscripted, and transparent, allowing founders to interact directly with expert judges, potential investors, and a live audience.

Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria, shared: “The ideas and partnerships formed over these 100 hours show exactly what happens when corporate Nigeria is finally listening to young Nigerians. We recognise that traditional business engagement doesn’t always work for this generation, which is why we empowered the youth to lead. By supporting The Gathering, we are not just celebrating culture; we are fueling the young Nigerian through youth-led innovation and actively investing in their economic potential.”

Beyond business activity, the event recorded consistent engagement across its programming, providing deep insight into the evolving role of youth within Nigeria’s economy. The sustained 100-hour activity highlighted a growing, resilient base of digitally engaged participants who own their lanes and actively create their own opportunities.

As the event closed, MTN reaffirmed their commitment to expanding the platform, ensuring that The Gathering on 100 will continue to evolve as a vital space for both cultural expression and youth-led economic opportunity.


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