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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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Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation to Open Portal for 1,000 University Tech Scholarships on Monday

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The Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation (LSEF), in collaboration with TD Africa, Konga Group, Zinox Technologies, and Task Systems, is set to officially launch its highly anticipated scholarship programme aimed at empowering 1,000 exceptional Nigerian indigent whiz-kids in the field of technology.

Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation to Open Portal for 1,000 University Tech Scholarships on Monday

Leo Stan Ekeh

The dedicated application portal, initially scheduled to go live on April 22, will now launch on  Monday,  April 27, 2026, following final technical enhancements to ensure a seamless, secure, and transparent application experience for prospective candidates nationwide.

This landmark initiative, first announced by Leo Stan Ekeh, Africa’s foremost tech icon and chairman of Zinox Group, forms part of his unwavering commitment to national development and youth empowerment.

The programme was unveiled on February 22, 2026, when Ekeh marked his 70th birthday. Rather than host an elaborate celebration befitting a man of his stature, he chose to channel resources into a cause that would create long-term impact for an economy, offering university scholarships to indigent but brilliant Nigerian youths to study Computer Science in federal institutions.

Building on a legacy of over 6709 beneficiaries trained over four decades by him and his companies, Mr. Ekeh at the time said the goal is to nurture a new generation of highly skilled technology professionals capable of supporting both the private and public sectors, while positioning Nigeria for greater competitiveness in the global digital economy.

This vision reflects his decades-long commitment to building sustainable  positive disruptive capacity within Nigeria’s technology ecosystem that shall alter the nation’s GDP.

The scholarship programme is designed to transcend mere financial support, offering beneficiaries access to a comprehensive ecosystem powered by the initiative’s distinguished partners. Beneficiaries will receive technical support, mentorship by very successful members of Nigeria Compute Society, and industry exposure to ensure that recipients are equipped with practical, market-relevant skills.

This multi-faceted approach ensures that scholarship beneficiaries gain not only theoretical knowledge but also hands-on experience and professional networks that will propel their careers in technology.

By leveraging the combined expertise and infrastructure of these industry leaders, the initiative is poised to deliver a transformative learning experience that prepares young Nigerians to compete effectively on the global stage. Beneficiaries will emerge as future-ready innovators capable of driving digital transformation across sectors and contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic growth.

The initiative builds on the longstanding legacy of Leo Stan Ekeh, whose contributions to Nigeria’s technology landscape and by extension Africa have spanned decades and fundamentally reshaped the nation’s digital infrastructure. From pioneering indigenous computer manufacturing through Zinox Technologies to driving digital transformation across public and private sectors, Ekeh has consistently demonstrated a commitment to building sustainable technological capacity within Nigeria.

His investments in digital infrastructure, talent development, and indigenous innovation have positioned Nigeria as a formidable player in the global technology landscape.

This scholarship programme represents the latest chapter in that transformative journey, directly addressing the critical need for skilled technology professionals in an increasingly digital global economy.

As anticipation builds ahead of the April 27 launch, interested applicants are advised to visit the Konga.com website and click the Foundation banner on 1000 Tech Scholarships Awards where the application link and detailed participation guidelines will be published on the launch date. The organisers have assured that the selection process will be merit-driven, inclusive, and transparent, with a focus on identifying truly outstanding young talents from across Nigeria’s diverse regions.

 


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US Library Blames Hackers for Viral Posts Urging Violence in Nigeria

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Westerville Public Library, a public library that serves the community of Westerville, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus in United States is in the news after its social account urged violence against Nigerian politicians.

US Library Blames Hackers for Viral Posts Urging Violence in Nigeria

Library staff said the inflammatory messages were not written by any employees and moved quickly to purge the feed and regain control of the account, rattling regulars who are used to the library’s usually low-traffic presence in Uptown Westerville.

The Columbus Dispatch reported that the library’s X account first posted a message calling for the death of Nigerian politicians, starting with the country’s president.

According to the paper, most of those posts were wiped from the feed within about half an hour.

The Dispatch also noted that the account had been sitting dormant since 2024 before the violent statements suddenly went live, and its full report includes the timeline and language that circulated on the platform.

After the posts appeared, the library issued a short note on X that read, “Please disregard any recent posts you may have seen from the Westerville Library on this platform today. Thank you for your understanding.” As reported by The Columbus Dispatch, communications director Tamara Murray told the paper the account was hacked shortly before the messages were published and that staff were working to recover passwords.

The library did not immediately say whether law enforcement had been notified.

 

 


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IshowSpeed’s African Tour was ‘Spy Job,’ for Elon Musk-   Seun Kuti

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Oluseun Anikulapo Kuti, popularly known Seun Kuti, Nigerian musician, has claimed that IShowSpeed, American streamer’s African tour was was funded by Elon Musk, billionaire tech mogul.

IshowSpeed’s African Tour was ‘Spy Job,’ for Elon Musk-   Seun Kuti

Seun Kuti

According to the singer and the youngest son of Fela Kuti, Afrobeat pioneer, the tour aimed at testing the reach of Musk’s satellite across the African continent.

Seun Kuti also explained that the streamer’s tour was not just to see the beauty of Africa, but was a spy job for Elon Musk.

”They all have the agenda. All that was a spy job for Elon Musk. I hail him and we have our own people pursuing him with us“, he added.

IShowSpeed completed a landmark 28-day tour of Africa, visiting 20 countries between December 29, 2025, and January 27, 2026, aimed at experiencing local cultures and engaging with fans.

The trip, which featured live-streamed visits to nations including Nigeria, South Africa, and Ghana, saw him surpass 50 million subscribers. He described the experience as life-changing.


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