In a significant push to integrate digital assets into Nigeria’s financial ecosystem, the Global Investment Advisory Community (GIA), in partnership with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), has unveiled a comprehensive strategy aimed at shaping the future of cryptocurrency and digital investments in the country.
The new framework, titled the Digital Asset Markets Strategy, was introduced during a masterclass session hosted at the SEC headquarters in Lagos on Friday. The event gathered key stakeholders in finance, regulation, and digital innovation.
The strategy is designed to encourage young Nigerians and members of the diaspora to invest in cryptocurrency using the naira, while also building a robust domestic digital asset ecosystem capable of competing in global markets.
The lead strategist and convener of the event Nicky Okoye, explained that the initiative is grounded in the newly passed Investment and Securities Act of 2025, which legally integrates digital assets into Nigeria’s capital markets. Under the Act, the SEC has been confirmed as the principal regulator of digital assets, providing a legal foundation for the use of cryptocurrencies and the issuance of digital tokens.
“This legislation does more than just authorize digital assets, it establishes the groundwork for a fully functioning digital economy that allows Nigerians to trade, invest, and grow wealth through secure and regulated platforms,” said Okoye.
The Global Investment Advisory Community comprising leading investment firms, high-net-worth individuals, and institutions like Meristem Group, CardinalStone, Constant Capital, Anabel Capital, and VFD Group is now looking to build a network of capital managers and aggregators to drive adoption.
Okoye detailed how the strategy will be rolled out, including training programmes for young Nigerians to become digital asset aggregators who will educate and onboard new investors. The plan also includes a $25,000 investment appeal to Nigerians in the diaspora to channel funds into the digital markets.
In a bid to align local efforts with global best practices, select GIA members will embark on an international digital asset roadshow, with stops in major financial hubs including New York, Singapore, and Geneva. According to Okoye, this exposure will help position Nigeria’s digital asset market as a serious contender globally, while also helping to stabilise the naira.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, in a keynote speech delivered by the Commissioner for Finance, Abayomi Oluyomi, lauded the strategy as a tool to support Nigeria’s broader digital economy ambitions, projected to reach $22 billion by 2029.
“Nigeria stands at the threshold of a digital revolution, and we must seize the opportunity. This strategy, backed by strong policy guidance from the SEC and the expertise of GIA, can help us unlock enormous potential. The goal is to foster innovation, investor protection, and long-term growth,” Sanwo-Olu stated.
Also speaking at the event, Senator Osita Izunaso, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Capital Markets, reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to creating a legislative environment that supports the expansion of digital financial products.
He noted that the Senate will continue working closely with investment stakeholders to identify new regulatory needs, fine-tune existing laws, and promote digital inclusion across Nigeria’s economic landscape.
The unveiling of the strategy signals a significant shift in Nigeria’s approach to digital finance, offering a clear roadmap for embracing blockchain technology and cryptocurrency within a regulated environment. The initiative is also expected to position Nigeria as a hub for digital asset investment in Africa.
