Nigerian students are increasingly embracing blockchain technology, signaling a bright future for the country’s role in the global tech landscape. This enthusiasm was on full display at the second edition of the ICP DecaHack Cohort, a national blockchain hackathon held at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO).
The ICP DecaHack, organized by ICP Hub Africa, targets ten universities across sub-Saharan Africa. The initiative aims to ignite interest in blockchain technology among Nigerian students, offering valuable insights, hands-on experience, and up to $25,000 in equity-free grants for the top five startups.
Adedayo Adebajo, co-founder of ICP Hub Sahara, emphasized the importance of nurturing young talent in blockchain technology. He highlighted that by providing platforms like the ICP DecaHack, students can refine their knowledge of Internet Computer Protocol (ICP) and position themselves as future leaders in this rapidly evolving field.
At OAU, the hackathon drew over 120 students despite the ongoing semester exams. This impressive turnout, Adebajo noted, underscores the growing interest in blockchain technology among Nigerian youths and their potential to drive the country’s economic and technological advancement.
During the event, Adebajo introduced students to ICP, describing it as a decentralized, public, and open-source blockchain network. ICP enables the creation of smart contracts, decentralized applications (dApps), and decentralized finance (DeFi) solutions. Adebajo explained that ICP operates on a network of nodes, ensuring transparency and avoiding control by any single entity. This encourages global contributions and audits from developers, making the platform robust and secure.
The hackathon also focused on the importance of collaboration between developers and non-developers in building successful products on the ICP platform. Adebajo emphasized that the goal of the initiative is to equip students with the knowledge and connections necessary to drive future growth in the blockchain industry.
The event featured several interactive sessions designed to deepen participants’ understanding of blockchain technology. One of the highlights was the “Blockchain Relay Race,” where teams passed a “block” of information, mimicking block propagation in a decentralized network. Another session, the “Decentralized Trivia” quiz, tested participants’ knowledge of blockchain and Web3 fundamentals, turning learning into a fun and engaging experience.
Networking sessions were also a significant part of the event, offering students the chance to connect with like-minded peers, share ideas, and discuss potential collaborations. These interactions are crucial for fostering a sense of community and collaboration among participants.
Reflecting on the event’s success, Anthony Richardson, an ICP Ambassador and the event host at FUTO, noted that the students were equipped with a deeper understanding of the Internet Computer Protocol and its potential to revolutionize the web. He explained that ICP aims to extend the functionality of the public internet by enabling it to host smart contracts and dApps at web speed with unlimited capacity. This, he said, promises to democratize the internet, making it more secure, scalable, and efficient.
Richardson added that the ICP DecaHack not only showcased the innovative capabilities of ICP but also fostered a strong sense of community among participants. The enthusiasm and energy at both OAU and FUTO highlighted the success of the initiative and set the stage for future developments in blockchain and decentralized technologies.
The growing interest in blockchain technology among Nigerian students is a promising sign for the country’s future in the global tech industry. Initiatives like the ICP DecaHack are crucial in providing the necessary platforms for students to develop their skills and knowledge in this field. As these young innovators continue to explore the potential of blockchain, Nigeria is poised to make significant strides in the world of decentralized technology.
