Nigeria's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced a strategic partnership with the Global Investment Advisory (GIA)

This initiative aims to attract younger Nigerians and those in the diaspora, offering them viable investment opportunities in naira-denominated digital assets.

Nigeria is actively pursuing the expansion of its digital asset market, evident in the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) strategic partnership with Global Investment Advisory (GIA). This initiative, announced at a seminar in Lagos, aims to accelerate cryptocurrency adoption among younger Nigerians and those in the diaspora, presenting them with viable investment opportunities in naira-denominated digital assets.

The partnership follows Nigeria's recent legalization of virtual asset trading in March, aiming to integrate the burgeoning digital economy into the nation's financial framework.

Announced at the seminar in Lagos, this initiative follows Nigeria's recent legalization of virtual asset trading in March. The move is designed to integrate the burgeoning digital economy into the nation's financial framework.

This development arrives after a period of government crackdown on cryptocurrency transactions, which saw authorities take action against exchanges like Binance and other platforms accused of illicit activities. These actions, including the arrest of executives, led to intervention from U.S. and British diplomats.

However, the enactment of the Investment Act 2025, which includes regulations for virtual assets, blockchain, and crypto investment contracts, marks a turning point. The legislation is intended to promote market transparency, enhance regulatory oversight, and boost investor confidence.

The SEC is also committed to ensuring that all legitimate transactions are subject to appropriate taxation, contributing to the government's revenue generation efforts.

"We are focused on ensuring that all transactions are done in a transparent manner and that all taxes due to the government are paid," said SEC commissioner, Abasi Esu.

Speaking at the seminar, Nicky Okoye, GIA's advisor and convener, outlined the strategy, which includes training aggregators—young Nigerians who will identify, educate, and convert Nigerian prospects for the digital asset market.

"We will also be luring members of the Nigerian diaspora to invest $25,000 in the Nigerian digital asset markets," Okoye added.

As part of the plan, international roadshows will be organized in New York, Singapore, Geneva, and other key financial hubs to introduce select GIA members to cryptocurrency and digital asset exchanges.

These sessions will provide members with insights into the exchanges' operations, legal status, and the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem in the U.S. and other regions.

The initiative marks a departure from the SEC's previous stance, aiming to expand digital asset participation among younger generations and the diaspora.

This partnership also aims to provide younger generations with access to investment opportunities in a format they prefer, which could include non-fungible tokens (NFTs), stablecoins, and other digital assets.

The move is designed to encourage members of the diaspora to channel their investments back into Nigeria's financial markets.

The consortium, GIA, brings together institutional investors such as Meristem Group, VFD Group, Anabel Capital, Cardinal Stone, and Constant Capital, showcasing a collaborative effort to drive digital asset adoption.

This partnership reflects Nigeria's broader strategy to harness the potential of digital assets while empowering its youth and diaspora communities.