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By Nana Theresa Timothy
Nigeria’s technology landscape is witnessing a new wave of innovation, and Plateau State is about to play host to a groundbreaking event set to change the narrative. ProdFest 2025, short for Product Festival, is not just another tech conference, it is an experience that combines innovation, culture, and tourism in a way that has never been done before in the country.
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In an exclusive interview with Adaaku Peter Jr, Co-Founder and CEO of Blockfuse Labs, he shared insights into the vision behind the event, the challenges faced in bringing it to life, and what participants can expect.
Changing the Narrative
For years, Africa and particularly Nigeria, has been perceived largely as a consumer rather than a producers in the global technology ecosystem. Peter believes it is time to challenge that notion.
ProdFest is about giving builders the platform to showcase their products,” he explained. “At Blockfuse Labs, we’ve been building for close to a year now, with products like Tokenly, Safiri, Micro Gigs, BaseGecko, and several others. These are tangible solutions that demonstrate Africans are not just consumers in the blockchain space, we are creators and innovators.”
Adaaku PeterJr.
Unlike traditional Web3 conferences, which often revolve around panel sessions and theoretical discussions, ProdFest promises something different. “This is about showcasing real products. Builders will demonstrate what they’ve been working on, presenting them to the world on a proper stage,” Peter emphasized.
Beyond Technology: An Experience
While technology takes center stage, ProdFest is also designed to highlight another dimension: the richness of Plateau State.
“The media has often painted Plateau only as a place of conflict,” Peter said. “But that’s not the full story. Plateau is a beautiful state with rich culture, warm people, and incredible weather. I came here in 2019 for my NYSC service year, and I never left because of how peaceful and welcoming it is.”
To balance innovation with cultural immersion, the organizers are dedicating the final day of the event, Sunday, August 24th, to tourism. Participants will explore landmarks such as Jos Wildlife Park, Shere Hills, and other scenic destinations. Even the event branding reflects this blend of culture and innovation.
“Did you know the Indigo bird, found only in Plateau State, is part of our design identity?” Peter asked with pride.
We’re weaving Plateau’s natural beauty into ProdFest’s storytelling. It’s not just a tech conference, it’s an experience.”
Open to All
Peter is keen to make ProdFest inclusive. “Tech spaces can sometimes feel intimidating to outsiders,” he admitted. “But ProdFest is for everyone. Whether you’re a developer, designer, entrepreneur, student, or simply curious, there will be something for you.”
This inclusive approach ensures the event appeals not only to industry insiders but also to the broader community.
Overcoming Challenges
Bringing an international-standard conference to Plateau State has not been without hurdles. The biggest challenge, Peter said candidly, has been financing.
At Blockfuse Labs, we’ve attended international conferences in places like Thailand, Argentina and those experiences shaped our vision. We want to bring that same standard to Plateau. But delivering that quality requires significant funding,”
Peter Adaaku Jr.
Although raising sponsorship has been difficult, particularly because it is the first edition of the conference, the team has managed to attract key partners. “We’ve had great support from the Plateau State Governor and government, who believe in the vision. Beyond that, we’ve secured sponsorships from AyaHQ, Ethereum Foundation, Lisk, and Blockchain for Good Alliance. Still, many international partners told us to ‘come back after your first event.’ That was tough, but we are grateful for the support we’ve received.”
A Global Line-Up
Despite financial constraints, ProdFest 2025 is attracting global attention. The speaker lineup reflects both international and African leadership in the Web3 ecosystem.
We’re aiming for international standards, so yes, there will be global representation,” Peter confirmed. “Some of our speakers include Justin Drake from Ethereum Foundation and Santiago from Lisk. From Africa, we’ll also have leaders like the founder of Web3 Bridge, alongside other experts shaping the blockchain space.”
Peter Adaaku Jr.
This mixture of local and international thought leaders positions ProdFest as one of the most anticipated blockchain events on the continent.
A Call to Be Part of History
As the interview drew to a close, Peter left a compelling message for those considering attending.
My message is simple: ProdFest is for everyone. Whether you’re in Web1, Web2, Web3, or even Web4, it doesn’t matter. Developers, designers, content creators, entrepreneurs, students, there’s something for you here,” he said.
This is not just another conference; it’s a chance to witness innovation, culture, and collaboration in one place. If you miss ProdFest, you’ll be missing out on history. I invite everyone to come, experience, and be part of this movement.”
With innovation at its core, cultural richness woven into its design, and tourism embedded in its programming, ProdFest 2025 is set to redefine how tech conferences are imagined in Nigeria. It is not only an opportunity for builders to showcase their work but also for Plateau State to shine as a hub of peace, beauty, and creativity.
