Crypto mining as a pandemic

After the dust of the COVID-19 pandemic began to settle, Nigeria was suddenly gripped by a new wave of obsession—crypto mining. What started as an opportunity to earn money from the digital world has spiraled into an addiction that’s slowly creeping into every corner of society. From the hospital to the classroom, the office, and even the road, the rise of crypto mining has become a second pandemic, posing significant risks to Nigeria’s development and safety.

Crypto mining, which involves solving complex algorithms to validate transactions on the blockchain and earning coins as a reward, has caught the attention of many Nigerians. But this fascination with digital currencies has gone beyond reasonable bounds. Scientists in laboratories are now mining coins on Telegram and tapping phones instead of focusing on their jobs.

 Healthcare workers, doctors, and nurses, who should be fully committed to saving lives, are now distracted by mining, placing the well-being of their patients at risk.

In banks, where precision and vigilance are essential, bankers have turned their focus from securing the nation’s finances to chasing digital assets. The classrooms, once a place of learning and growth, have become breeding grounds for distraction as students no longer concentrate on their studies but instead scroll through mining platforms.

 This obsession has escalated to the point where crypto mining is now the main topic of conversation, overshadowing discussions about pressing national issues.

If this trend continues unchecked, the consequences could be disastrous. It will affect health care delivery, learning process cause financial instability, road accidents and decline in productivity.

 It will also have a devastating effect on citizens morality. People will be more concerned about pursuit of quick money abandoning production.

While the potential to earn through crypto mining can be tempting, it is crucial for individuals to maintain a sense of balance. There is a time for everything, and neglecting important responsibilities in the pursuit of digital currencies is a dangerous path. Nigeria’s future depends on the collective efforts of its people to build a better society—not on the obsession with mining coins.

It’s time to wake up to the reality that this new wave of crypto mining is not just a harmless activity but a growing crisis that needs to be addressed. To safeguard our nation’s well-being, we must encourage Nigerians to focus on their work, studies, and responsibilities while engaging with cryptocurrencies in moderation. The health of our people, the strength of our economy, and the future of our youth depend on this balance. Let’s not allow the obsession with mining to become Nigeria’s undoing.

Abdullahi Abubakar (Sheikh), No 33 Lemu Road Tudun Wada Zaria