DAMA Academy, DSTI Advocate AI and Digital Assets for National Development

Key players in Nigeria's technology sector have gathered in Abuja to discuss how blockchain, artificial intelligence, and digital assets can drive the nation's economic growth.

The press briefing, jointly organised by DAMA Academy and the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), brought together technology experts and digital asset advocates who emphasised the need for clear regulations, institutional partnerships, and strategic national positioning.

Speakers at the event noted that digital assets are rapidly transforming global finance, healthcare delivery, and governance systems worldwide.

The gathering also examined the strategic importance of the evolving digital asset ecosystem, with particular attention paid to Body Scan AI as a practical example of technological integration.

In his keynote address, Chief Executive Officer of DAMA Academy Abuja, Nwankwo Ozioma, stressed that discussions around blockchain and AI must shift from mere talk to concrete action and structured involvement.

He explained that the global economy is steadily moving towards a decentralised and intelligent framework, powered by technologies that facilitate transactions, programmable value, and predictive analytics. He pointed to the growth of decentralised finance since Bitcoin's emergence, enterprise blockchain adoption by companies like IBM, and AI breakthroughs led by organisations such as OpenAI.

Nwankwo maintained that blockchain brings transparency without middlemen, thereby reducing avenues for corruption and inefficiency, whilst digital assets allow for borderless financial participation. He added that artificial intelligence boosts automation and enhances decision-making across various sectors including finance and healthcare.

He cautioned that Nigeria could end up merely consuming imported innovations rather than creating them, should the country fail to invest in local capacity and regulatory frameworks that encourage responsible innovation.

Using Body Scan AI as a practical illustration, he elaborated that the initiative combines AI-driven health diagnostics with blockchain-secured data protection and tokenised rewards via the SCANAI token. He noted that such integration could support secure medical record management, transparent payment systems, and community-level financial engagement within a decentralised healthcare framework.

However, he warned against reckless speculation, insisting that innovation must go hand in hand with ethical protections. He called for clear regulations, consumer awareness, transparent token structures, and robust anti-fraud measures to curb abuse in the digital asset space.

"Blockchain technology introduces trust and transparency without intermediaries. We must pay attention to this. Digital assets introduce programmable and transferable value and borderless finance. Artificial Intelligence introduces automation, prediction, and intelligent decision-making at scale," he stated.

During his presentation, Paul Elombah situated the discussion within what he termed the 'Global Bitcoin Race,' arguing that sovereign accumulation of Bitcoin reflects long-term strategic positioning rather than ordinary retail speculation.

He referenced El Salvador's adoption of Bitcoin as legal tender, Bhutan's mining initiatives, and substantial holdings by the United States as evidence that digital assets have become tools of statecraft and macroeconomic protection.

Elombah characterised Bitcoin as increasingly seen as digital gold: scarce, borderless, and resistant to censorship, making it appealing as protection against inflation and currency erosion.

He added, however, that whilst Bitcoin may continue to dominate as a store of value, the next growth phase would likely benefit utility-focused projects with real-world applications, especially those merging blockchain with artificial intelligence.

In her contribution, Mrs. Shiphrah Poloma analysed digital assets from the standpoint of personal finance and retirement planning, outlining both their opportunities and risks.

She conceded that digital assets carry greater volatility than conventional pension tools but argued that their superior growth potential and decentralised character offer prospects for portfolio diversification and improved long-term returns. Traditional pension schemes, she observed, provide stability and guaranteed benefits but typically yield modest growth.

She explained that digital assets, whilst exposed to market swings, present possibilities for considerable gains, alongside avenues for passive income generation within decentralised networks.

Poloma underscored the significance of proactive financial literacy, warning that engaging with digital markets demands discipline, knowledge, and strategic planning.

Beyond price appreciation, she identified decentralisation as a major benefit, giving individuals more direct control over their holdings. She also highlighted passive income possibilities within digital ecosystems as an emerging route to long-term financial stability.

In a virtual presentation, Moses Obaje detailed how blockchain, digital assets, and artificial intelligence intersect in healthcare, using Body Scan AI as a case study. He described blockchain as a decentralised and unchangeable digital record with essential features such as decentralisation, consensus, and traceability, noting that these qualities make it appropriate for safeguarding sensitive medical information and ensuring openness.

He clarified that Body Scan AI is being built as an AI-enabled Android and iOS application designed to analyse medical images including X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans for early identification of health conditions. The platform, he said, incorporates blockchain technology to safeguard user information and remove middlemen, whilst delivering personalised health recommendations through machine learning systems.