- Nigeria’s Sterling Bank has partnered with SPPG to implement blockchain-based credential verification
- This collaboration marks a significant advancement in the efficiency and security of academic credentials
- The bank has adopted VX Technologies’ blockchain-based digital certification program in a pioneering effort
Nigeria’s Sterling Bank has joined forces with the country’s School of Politics, Policy, and Governance (SPPG) to implement credential verification using blockchain technology. The collaboration signifies a significant advancement in enhancing the efficiency, security, and accessibility of academic credentials in Nigeria and is set to revolutionize the way academic credentials are verified. The bank will use a blockchain-based digital certification program developed by VX Technologies in a first-of-its-kind development.
Tamper-proof Certification
The partnership was revealed last month but rolled out this week, with Sterling Bank releasing a statement highlighting the milestone partnership. Obinna Ukachukwu, the bank’s Chief Growth Officer, stated that it was honored to be able to use the technology for trustless verification:
We are thrilled to partner with VX Technologies and SPPG on this game-changing initiative. At Sterling Bank, we believe in the power of innovation to drive progress and transform lives. By supporting the adoption of blockchain technology in education, we are not only revolutionizing credential verification but also advancing our H.E.A.R.T strategy for Education, which prioritizes Access and Equity.
The bank emphasized that leveraging blockchain technology will allow SPPG graduates to access secure, tamper-proof digital certificates, ensuring the integrity and authenticity of their academic achievements, and providing a robust solution to the challenge of credential verification.
SPPG Wants Blockchain Certification to be “The Norm”
SPPG is reputed in Nigeria for its unconventional approach to attracting, developing, and producing a new generation of political leaders, and its collaboration with Sterling Bank and VX Technologies aligns with its mission to innovate in education.
Ryan Hawkos, Director of Operations at VX Technologies, acknowledged Sterling Bank’s significant contribution:
We are pleased to acknowledge the impactful generosity of Sterling Bank, who has provided the funding necessary for the initial phase of this project. This support ensures that thousands of SPPG alumni can access their digital certificates, with the first one thousand certificates being provided at no cost.
Alero Ayida-Otobo, Chief Executive Officer of SPPG, praised Sterling Bank’s commitment to quality education, stating, “We are one of the first institutions in Nigeria to embrace blockchain for academic credential management, and we look forward to a near future where this is the norm across Nigeria.”
Certification is a great use of blockchain technology, with everyone from graduates to potential employers able to trust the certifications claimed by candidates quickly and easily. In 2018, Samsung and the Korean Federation of Banks trialed a blockchain verification system to speed up the KYV process for new customers.
