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Nigeria approves national blockchain Policy to drive digital economy

The new blockchain policy aligns with Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.

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Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy (FMCDE) has approved the National Blockchain Policy as the country doubles down on creating a blockchain-powered economy.

The adoption of the policy by the government will pave the way for the formal utilization of the technology in the country, which has seen significant crypto adoption in recent years. The FMCDE believes its implementation will have a positive effect on both the public and private sectors in Nigeria.

Blockchain Adoption

The latest push towards blockchain has also been prompted by Nigeria’s efforts to move away from its heavy economic reliance on the oil and gas sector and instead allow the economy to “leapfrog” into one driven by digital technologies.

As such, the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy developed the National Blockchain Policy to diversify the economy on behalf of the federal government. This is in line with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), which was unveiled by President Muhammadu Buhari in November 2019.

Subsequently, the first draft of the policy released in October 2020 outlined the strategy and stated that it aligns with the 8 pillars of the ‘DIGITAL NIGERIA’ Roadmap of the FMCDE. They focus on – Developmental Regulation, Digital Literacy & Skills, Solid Infrastructure, Service Infrastructure, Digital Services Development & Promotion, Soft Infrastructure, Digital Society & Emerging technologies, and finally, Indigenous Content Development and Adoption.

“The vision of the Policy is to create a Blockchain-powered economy that supports secure transactions, data sharing, and value exchange between people, businesses, and Government, thereby enhancing innovation, trust, growth, and prosperity for all. The implementation of the National Blockchain Policy will have a positive effect on both the public and private sectors of the country.”

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) will be tasked with coordinating the policy initiatives under the oversight of the FMCDE. The authorities have also set up a multisectoral steering committee to monitor policy implementation.

The Federal Executive Council, on the other hand, directed relevant regulatory bodies –  NITDA, Nigeria’s Central Bank, the National Universities Commission, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Nigerian Communications Commission to develop regulatory structures for blockchain implementation across various sectors of the economy.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s SEC plans to support tokenization, with the main focus being real-world assets such as equities, bonds, and real estate. Cryptocurrency, however, is not on the roadmap.

Earlier this year, the country witnessed a cash shortage that led to violent protests, leaving countless citizens injured and a few dead. Nigerians have flocked to cryptocurrencies to hedge against current inflation and dodge the various limitations on naira transactions in online payments. The African country was ranked 11th on the Chainalysis 2022 Global Crypto Adoption Index and 17th for peer-to-peer exchange trade volume.

According to Binance’s West & East Africa Director Nadeem Anjarwalla, the approval of the policy indicates that Nigeria is positioning itself as a nation significantly ahead of the curve. In a statement to CryptoPotato, Anjarwalla commended the all-encompassing approach laid out in the reviewed policy document based on the key initiatives that include establishing a blockchain consortium and strengthening the regulatory and legal framework.

“We believe that growth in blockchain technology is set to become a key differentiator for economies and a key measure of international competitiveness in the next decade for attracting foreign direct investment, cultivating innovation, and creating jobs. As such, this is a welcome development and a significant milestone for the blockchain industry in Nigeria.”

Blockchain Tech Adoption Trajectory

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) recently published a report extensively analyzing blockchain technology. It observed that blockchain, which happens to be one of the “world’s fastest developing technologies,” could boost the global economy with $1.76 trillion by 2030.

The economists at the finance giant expect the majority of businesses to be leveraging blockchain by 2025. By 2025, blockchain’s GDP is estimated to reach $422 billion.

SOURCE: CryptoPotato

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Iran-US-Israel war Drives Dangote Refinery’s PMS to N874

Several depot owners suspended PMS sales because of the crude rally. The market is already factoring in risk premiums. Nobody wants to sell below replacement cost,” a downstream operator was quoted as saying.

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Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reviewed the price of its Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) gantry price by N100, bringing the ex-depot rate to N874 per litre from the previous N774, as international crude oil prices surged past $80 per barrel due to the ongoing U.S – Israeli war against Iran.

A senior refinery official who confirmed the adjustment on Monday, said that the price has been reviewed.

” The new gantry price is now N874 per litre, up from N774. The revision became necessary due to changes in global crude fundamentals and replacement costs,” the official said.

Checks on petroleumprice.ng indicate that the new pricing has already been implemented, signaling a shift in downstream benchmarks that will likely affect petrol retail prices across the country.

The price hike followed the refinery’s suspension of petrol loading operations, effective midnight on March 2, 2026.

Industry data showed that PMS loading and issuance of proforma invoices were temporarily halted, although the suspension applied only to petrol, while Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) continued to load uninterrupted.

The refinery’s move triggered a ripple effect across Nigeria’s downstream sector, with several private depot owners halting petrol sales during the trading day.

“Several depot owners suspended PMS sales because of the crude rally. The market is already factoring in risk premiums. Nobody wants to sell below replacement cost,” a downstream operator was quoted as saying.

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Global Links and Services Ltd adds Namibia to its Tourism Packages

Tony Onwuchekwa, the company’s Group Director of Communications, who disclosed this, and advocates for policy changes to ease intra-African travel.

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Tony Onwuchekwa, Group Director of Communications

Global Links and Services Ltd (operating as Global Links Travel & Tours), a fully licensed IATA Travel Agency based in Nigeria, says that it’s poised to integrate Namibia into its tours and pilgrimage offerings.

Tony Onwuchekwa, the company’s Group Director of Communications, who disclosed this, and advocates for policy changes to ease intra-African travel.

Onwuchekwa said that the motivation to add Namibia to its travel destinations package was ignited by it’s participation in the just ended Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) and South African Airways (SAA) B2B Stakeholders Meeting in Windhoek.

He emphasised that with over 20 years of experience in crafting seamless travel experiences across Nigeria and beyond, Global Links and Services Ltd is poised to advance intra-Africa tourism, experiential travel, and investment opportunities in Namibia, aligning with its mission to transform travel dreams into reality through expertly curated itineraries, flights, tours, hotels, transfers, study abroad services, and faith-based pilgrimages.

According to him, the company has gained firsthand insights to develop authentic, budget-friendly packages that highlight Namibia’s cultural heritage, wildlife, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) potential.

“Global Links is committed to bridging Africa’s tourism gaps through strategic collaborations and immersive experiences,” said Tony Onwuchekwa.

“This event aligns perfectly with our vision of linking clients to the world’s wonders, and going forward, we’ll leverage our expertise in promoting African destinations to position Namibia as a must-visit hub for bleisure and adventure travellers,” he said.

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Satchets Alcohol Manufacturers Cry Out to Tinubu to Overide “NAFDAC’s Ban

The Senate, in its own wisdom, did not hear from other parties before the present situation we find ourselves in. This is, therefore, not a regulation; this is calculated economic suffocation.

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Collage : NAFDAC DG, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye; FOBTOB President, Jimoh Oyibo.

THE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) ban on local production and distribution of sachets alcohol and 10cl PET bottles have started telling on the economy, according to the Food and Beverage Producers union- FOBTOB., prompting their calls for intervention by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu , his cabinet and other well meaning Nigerians, to :

“Let the factories be reopened.Let the warehouses be unsealed.Let the depots be reopened.Let regulation replace repression.Let dialogue replace destruction.Let policy replace punishment.”

Jimoh Oyibo, President of FOBTOB, at a press conference in Lagos, paints the grim pictures of the ban , barley in its two months :

” Across the country, indigenous manufacturing companies, especially factories are being shut down. Depots are being closed. Warehouses are being locked including those that contain multiple other lawful products not connected to the targeted items.

“The consequences are already visible because workers are losing their jobs daily. Families have started to loose their income, businesses collapsing, supply chains breaking, tax revenues to the Federal Government reducing,” he said.

He emphasised that above all, local investment confidence is being destroyed, and that an economy cannot survive when industries are shut down instead of regulated.

Read Also: Are The Ministers of industry Leaving Manufacturers To Face Challenges?

The speech reads:

” Gentlemen and Ladies of the press and fellow Nigerians, we address you today February 26, 2026 with deep pain, growing fear, and a heavy sense of injustice over the ongoing actions of under the leadership of Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General.

This approach is creating widespread confusion, fear, and economic paralysis and we are compelled to ask Professor Mojisola Adeyeye the following questions.

What is her real motive behind this method of enforcement?

Why are entire facilities being shut down instead of applying controlled, targeted regulation?

Why are lawful businesses, workers, transporters, retailers, and suppliers being collectively punished?

The fact is undeniable that all stakeholders met including the House committe on alcohol of the House of Representatives, Honorable Minister of Health, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye,

The Nigerian Police, Customs, Immigration, Federal Road safety corps, manufacturers, Road transport Unions and many other representatives where this issue of alcohol intake by underaged was discussed and the general resolution was access control, massive enlightenment and educational sensitisation drive amongst other resolutions and not total ban as been carried out by Professor Mojisola Adeyeye.

While a policy document which was to serve as a National guide was being awaited, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye rushed behind everyone to approach the Senate for total ban.

The Senate, in its own wisdom, did not hear from other parties before the present situation we find ourselves in. This is, therefore, not a regulation; this is calculated economic suffocation.

children whom she claimed to be protecting are being forced out of school and embracing uncontrolled vices including forced labor or prostitution, with signs of increase in poverty and without doubt, crime risks will rise and this can be a security problem to Nigeria.

We reject the idea that total bans and mass shutdowns are solutions.

Access control is better than total prohibition.

Regulation is better than destruction.

Enlightenment is better than force.

Structured policy is better than blanket punishment.Cutting off a head is not the cure for a headache.

Dialogue is always stronger than destruction.Reform is better than repression.

Control is better than collapse.Factories are not just buildings, they are ecosystems that revolve round – Transporters who are into haulage- Raw material suppliers- Distributors- Retailers- Market women- Artisans- Warehouse operators- Support services- Logistics workers All of them are now suffering because of this policy direction.

We are therefore making this national appeal:

To the Federal Government of Nigeria

To the conscience of leadership

To the defenders of democracy

To the guardians of the economy

Please intervene and prevail on Professor Mojisola Adeyeye for a rethink

Please speak to the conscience of leadership. Stop Professor Mojisola Adeyeye before she destroy Nigeria and Nigerians.

We have no other country to call ours. 2027 elections are fast approaching and this is not the time to loose jobs.We are not criminals.

We are not kidnappers.We are not robbers.We are not extremists.We are not enemies of the state.We are workers.

We are producers.We are parents.We are taxpayers.We are citizens.

We are Nigerians.The only work we know is factory work.

The only livelihood we have is production.The only dignity we have is honest labor.We therefore appeal strongly and respectfully: .

Total bans are not the way forward.Controlled access is the way forward.Education is the way forward.Regulation is the way forward.

Partnership is the way forward.We bring this message before the press, please help circulate our pleas.

We bring it before the nation, this is a security crisis in the making.We bring it before the world, Nigeria is too volatile for another crisis.

This is our appeal.

This is our cry.This is our plea.

This is our stand.Let our industries and factories live.

Let our people work and contribute to the growth of the Nigerian economy.

Let our economy breathe, not to suffocate.”

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