Nigerian youths have been urged to actively engage with Blockchain technology to enhance their global competitiveness.

Adedayo Adebajo, co-founder of ICP Hub Sahara — an official branch of the Internet Computer Protocol ecosystem — highlighted the importance of engaging with blockchain technology during the second DecaHack cohort held at the University of Ibadan (UI) in Oyo State. DecaHack is an ICP-run initiative that offers online blockchain boot camps, a hackathon and a stage pitch competition for prizes.

Encouragement to leverage ICP

Adebajo highlighted that failing to embrace blockchain could have severe implications for the country’s future.

Internet Computer is a public, smart contract-capable mainnet blockchain on which developers can construct things like decentralized applications (DApps) and non-fungible tokens

The event, which brings together innovators, experts and blockchain enthusiasts from across Africa, aims to foster discussions, presentations and networking to advance the continent’s technological landscape.

Bridging blockchain interoperability

In his presentation titled “The Future of Interoperability: How Web3 Innovators Can Bridge the Gap Between Blockchain and DApps,” Ucheena Agams, Web3 ambassador for Arbitrum, analyzed how Web3 innovators could address the interoperability gap. His insights underscored the potential of Web3 technologies to create seamless connections between different blockchain platforms.

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Agams delved into the technical aspects of front-end development, illustrating the crucial role of front-end developers in designing user interfaces and experiences for websites and applications. His session highlighted the importance of front-end skills in making blockchain technology accessible and user-friendly.

The competition’s organizers announced that the top five startups would receive up to $25,000 in equity-free grants. Winners will also progress to the national grand finale, Nigeria’s most prominent blockchain hackathon conference. Additionally, all finalists will receive advisory support, mentorship and access to ICP grant applications.

By encouraging Nigerian youths to engage with blockchain technology , the initiative aims to position them for future success in the global digital economy. This proactive approach is expected to boost technological innovation , contribute to nation-building efforts, and ensure Nigeria remains competitive in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

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