NFL star asked the Nigerian government to adopt Bitcoin

Russell Okung, an NFL star and Nigerian descendant, sent an open letter to the Nigerian government to pursue a Bitcoin standard.

After mentioning Nigerian economic problems and challenges of the global economy, he urged to hurry up to seize the opportunity window regarding cryptocurrency technologies. NFL star argued to follow El Salvador’s example and to adopt national actions in favour of a Bitcoin standard.

Okung pointed at other nations, such as “Iran, Russia, China, and Kenya have been reportedly mining or otherwise utilizing Bitcoin, often as a means to circumvent U.S. sanctions, which prevent them from full participation in the global financial system.” As well, he gave an example of countries like “Barbados, Singapore, and Malta have moved to become ‘bitcoin friendly’ in an effort to attract wealth and human capital through migration.”

Russell Okung called Bitcoin an innovation not controlled, managed, or operated by any single entity, which will surpass the automobile or the internet in terms of its impact on humanity.

“Nigeria does not need to ask for permission from any other nation nor acquire a license nor secure a trade agreement from any corporation to reshape its economy with Bitcoin. All that is required is a vision for a new future and an allocation of its own national resources to pursue a Bitcoin standard,” he added.

Okung also referred to the intention of many other politicians in Latin America to pursue similar moves as El Salvador.

“In leading the next global financial shift, Nigeria can create prosperity for its citizens in a manner that requires no bloodshed, no election and no resistance. Such a proposition may seem too good to be true, and these ambitions certainly require thorough investigation, scrutiny and debate,” NFL star wrote.

“Conversely, a delay in pursuing a national plan for Bitcoin adoption will risk a scenario where Nigeria is left behind and its citizens excluded from the possibility of significant wealth creation and preservation,” he warned.

Source: https://bitcoinmagazine.com/culture/bitcoin-letter-to-nigeria-government