KBM Expo 2023, Harnessing web3 and blockchain to shape the future

Abuja recently played host to a landmark event in Nigeria’s tech and education sectors the inaugural Know the Blocks Maven (KBM) Conference on Web3 and Blockchain Technology. The first of its kind in the country, the conference was uniquely focused on secondary school students, introducing them to the fast-evolving world of decentralized technology through a comprehensive educational exposition.

The one-day event attracted high-level participation from key government and tech regulatory bodies, including the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). Officials from the FCT Secondary Education Board were also in attendance, underscoring the government’s growing interest in digital innovation within the education system.

Speaking at the press briefing, Mrs. Ayomide Arowolo, convener of KBM and a leading voice in tech education, stressed the urgent need to upgrade Nigeria’s educational framework to keep pace with global technological trends.

“KBM was founded to bridge the digital knowledge gap among Nigerian youth,” Arowolo said. “Our focus is to empower young people particularly students between the ages of 13 and 30 with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in a Web3 powered future.”

Since its establishment in 2021, KBM has organized several workshops and training sessions for students and members of the public, positioning itself as a pioneer in Web3 and Blockchain education in Nigeria. The recent conference in Abuja marks a significant step toward institutionalizing this vision.

The conference featured a diverse lineup of speakers, including Dr. Janie Dam, an educator from Los Angeles, USA, as well as Mr. Ndubuisi Onyema, Mr. Olalekan Adeeko, also we have Mr. Osaze oghagbon, and Mr. Romeo Siquijor Cemex North Ameria IT Head/Regional CIO; who are trainers in the blockchain ecosystem and team members of the KBM community.

The event also included captivating African cultural dance performances to promote unity among Nigeria’s diverse cultures, along with workshops, a career fair, networking and panel sessions.

One of the highlights of the event was the Hackathon presentation, where students from different government secondary schools showcased their solutions using “Blockchain Innovation in the Nigerian Entertainment Industry. Government Day Secondary School Karu presented a decentralized app that automates the royalty distribution process for creators and payment procedures. Another government secondary school, GSS Apo, offered a brilliant solution related to “Blockchain Innovation in the Nigerian Health Sector” by using the blockchain ecosystem to verify the authenticity of drugs for the general public.
Government Secondary School Wuse Zone 3 addressed the topic of “Blockchain Innovation in the Nigerian Educational Sector. They focused on solving issues related to improper student identity and data management, as well as utilizing blockchain technology to access and trace students’ test results from nursery to advanced levels, while also addressing the problem of student impersonation. Lastly, Government Secondary School (GSS Karishi) presented a solution using “Blockchain Innovation in the Nigerian Agricultural Sector  https://www.youtube.com/live/56LJle1Rt24?feature=share

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