By Maryam Umma Abdulsalam
Samaru, Zaria – June 13, 2026
Hundreds of students, blockchain experts, cryptocurrency enthusiasts and technology stakeholders gathered at the ABU Hotel, Ahmadu Bello University, Samaru, Zaria, on Saturday for the Zano Private Economy Conference. The programme aimed to promote blockchain privacy, financial inclusion and opportunities in the Web3 ecosystem.
The conference, themed "Zano: Confidential, Secure and Easy-to-Use," was organised by past and present students of Ahmadu Bello University in support of the President of the Students' Representative Council (SRC), Comrade Abdulrahman Halliru Saraki. It was coordinated by Bola Crypto and Idris Mustapha in collaboration with the Zano Africa Community.
Participants drawn from Samaru, Kongo, Shika and neighbouring communities attended the event, where speakers examined the growing role of blockchain technology and digital assets in Africa's financial sector.
Delivering the keynote lecture, the speakers said cryptocurrency was introduced to facilitate direct peer-to-peer financial transactions without intermediaries. They noted that blockchain technology has continued to address challenges such as high transaction costs, limited access to financial services, inflation and concerns over financial privacy.
They urged young people to take advantage of emerging opportunities in the Web3 space, describing decentralisation as a key driver of financial inclusion and innovation across Africa.
A panel session on "The Importance of Privacy as an Ingredient for Crypto Adoption in Africa" featured Naomi Egbe, Blockchain Developer and Cake Wallet Representative; Shamex, Privacy Advocate and PIVX Ambassador; Abubakar Ibrahim, aka Kajja48136, PegasusSwap Ambassador; and Chiemerie, Web3 content creator and Edge Wallet Ambassador. The session was moderated by Folami Abdulgaffar.
Naomi Egbe dismissed the notion that privacy tools are meant for criminals, explaining that such technologies simply enable users to protect their financial data while retaining full control of their digital assets.
The experts challenged young Africans to contribute to the development of indigenous blockchain solutions, noting that opportunities in the Web3 ecosystem extend beyond software development to include content creation, marketing, research, community management and entrepreneurship.
Participants were also introduced to privacy-focused platforms, including Zano, Edge Wallet and Cake Wallet, which offer users greater control over their digital assets without compromising their personal information.
Speaking at the event, the SRC President, Comrade Abdulrahman Halliru Saraki, commended the organisers for bringing the conference to Ahmadu Bello University and encouraged students to embrace emerging technologies alongside their academic pursuits.
Although he admitted having limited technical knowledge of cryptocurrency, Saraki said many people had built successful careers through legitimate opportunities in the blockchain industry. He urged participants to make good use of the knowledge shared at the conference and expressed hope that similar programmes would continue to benefit students.
In an interview after the event, the SRC President advised students to combine academic qualifications with practical digital skills, stressing that employability now depends on innovation, entrepreneurship and continuous learning.
He disclosed that the Students' Representative Council had established a Student Career Advancement Committee to equip students with career and entrepreneurial skills before graduation.
Saraki also warned students against fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes and advised them to verify investment opportunities before committing their resources.
Also speaking, Naomi Egbe, Web3 content creator and Cake Wallet Representative, encouraged young women to pursue careers in technology regardless of their academic background.
She said studying English and Literary Studies did not prevent her from building a successful career in Web3 content creation, digital marketing and blockchain education, adding that curiosity, consistency and continuous learning had been instrumental to her success.
Naomi urged students to keep developing relevant skills and embrace emerging technologies rather than allowing stereotypes to limit their ambitions. She added that her presentation focused on simplifying blockchain privacy concepts to help participants better understand Web3 and digital financial privacy.
The conference featured panel discussions, networking sessions, quizzes and giveaways, providing participants with opportunities to interact with blockchain professionals and learn more about privacy-focused digital technologies.
The event ended with a call on young Nigerians to embrace innovation, promote financial inclusion and support the development of home-grown blockchain solutions capable of driving Africa's digital economy.