The Evolution of Blockchain Policy and Crypto Regulation in Nigeria: From Resistance to Resilience
I am honored to have been invited by the International Centre for Emerging Technologies (ICET), Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State (FUT Minna), to deliver a guest lecture for their Masters in Fintech & Financial Blockchain (MFB 724). My session is titled: "The Evolution of Blockchain Policy and Crypto...
Nigeria’s Digital Asset Future: Stuck between Regulation and Surveillance
The African digital asset landscape is shifting beneath our feet. Ghana has just officially passed its Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASP) Bill 2025 into law, joining Kenya, which achieved a similar legislative milestone this year. The Bill now awaits presidential assent. As Nigeria’s neighbors celebrate clear, statutory frameworks, many...
Pathway to Freedom: Sovereignty, Secession, and the Future of Nigeria’s Union
By Senator Ihenyen To Dream and Dream and Dream Again That we may dream of wings to fly They give us freedom But like elephants on butterflies, They stamp us underground That we may dance to the music of the moon With the passion of endless hope...
A Guide for Financial Institutions and Crypto-Risk Mitigation in Nigeria: From Blanket Prohibition and Stereotypical Discrimination to Proper and Compliant Risk-Based Control
Introduction Whenever blanket prohibitions are made by financial institutions (FIs)—whether based on common stereotypes, fiat directives, or risk speculations over crypto-related transactions—there is serious cause for concern. Given the sanctity of the bank-customer relationship, the constitutional underpinnings of property rights, and the essential role of banking and financial services...
Regulating Stablecoins in Developing Countries and Emerging Economies to Protect Local Currencies
Stablecoins are gaining traction as a viable alternative to traditional payment systems, with the potential to transform the global payments landscape. According to a recent McKinsey report, 2025 could be a pivotal year for stablecoins, driven by their growing adoption and favorable regulatory developments. Noticeably, the most popular stablecoins...
Cooking Co-Created Crypto Policies: Lessons from Hilda Baci’s Pot of Jollof
If Hilda Baci’s name is new to you, you have likely been out of the loop on the culinary scene. Hilda Baci is a celebrated Nigerian chef, restaurateur, actress, and entrepreneur who made headlines in May 2023 for breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon. She...
Technology Is No Solution to Everything Under the Sun: The Crucial Role of Domain Expertise in Business and Startups
While tuning in to Business Week on Channels TV this Sunday morning, I came across a compelling one-on-one interview with Tomiwa Aladekomo, CEO of Big Cabal Media. The discussion centered around the growth and development of Africa’s tech ecosystem. On the pivotal importance of domain expertise transcending technological...
The United States Anti-CBDC Surveillance Act: A Crypto Déjà Vu?
Introduction Upon perusing the proposed Anti-CBDC Surveillance Act of the United States (US), I was struck by an uncanny sense of déjà vu. As an advocate in the virtual asset space over the last seven years, the familiarity of this moment is both captivating and unnerving for me. Rather...
Clampdowns, Crackdowns, and Shutdowns in Crypto Town: Responsible regulation is what Nigeria needs.
The Christmas Gift: 22 December 2023 Three days to Christmas last year the Olayemi Cardoso-led Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) lifted the over three-year ban on crypto transactions in Nigeria’s banking and financial system. Long overdue, the news was refreshing. It was a Christmas gift to many, locally...
Nigeria: Accelerating collective prosperity through technical efficiency in the digital age
Introduction Nigeria desires to accelerate collective prosperity by investing in technical efficiency. This is captured in the 31-page document released on the country’s 63rd Independence Anniversary by Dr. Bosun Tijani, the minister of communications, innovation and digital economy. Titled: ‘Accelerating our collective prosperity through technical efficiency” (the draft ‘Strategic...
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