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ARTICLE · 23 JULY 2026

Nigeria Moves Towards A More Coordinated Virtual Asset Regulatory Framework

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie
Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie
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Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

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Nigeria's Presidential Executive Order on Virtual Assets Coordination, 2026 introduces a coordinated regulatory framework for digital assets, establishing a Virtual Asset Council to strengthen cooperation among existing authorities while preserving their statutory mandates.

NigeriaFinance and Banking
Yinka Edu
Yinka Edu
Joseph Eimunjeze
Joseph Eimunjeze
Precious Onyebuchi David
Precious Onyebuchi David
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On 17th July 2026, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the Presidential Executive Order on Virtual Assets Coordination, 2026 (the “Executive Order”), marking a significant development in Nigeria's evolving regulatory framework for virtual assets.

The Executive Order introduces a coordinated approach to the regulation of virtual assets and digital asset activities in Nigeria. Rather than creating a new standalone regulator, it seeks to strengthen cooperation amongst existing regulatory authorities while preserving their respective statutory mandates. This development is particularly relevant to virtual asset service providers, digital asset exchanges, custodians, token issuers, payment service providers, investors and other participants in Nigeria's digital asset ecosystem.

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