Tinubu signs virtual assets executive order
Analysis based on 43 articles · First reported Jul 17, 2026 · Last updated Jul 18, 2026
The executive order reduces regulatory uncertainty for Nigeria's large cryptocurrency market, potentially boosting investor confidence and legitimate business activity. However, increased oversight and forthcoming tax policies may impose compliance costs on virtual asset service providers.
President Bola Tinubu signed the Presidential Executive Order on Virtual Assets Coordination, 2026, establishing a coordinated regulatory framework for Nigeria's virtual assets ecosystem. The order creates a Virtual Asset Council chaired by the Nigeria — Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), with the Nigeria — Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as vice-chairpersons, and includes the India — Financial Intelligence Unit – India (NFIU) and Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). A Virtual Asset Office will serve as the council's operational arm. The CBN will launch a regulatory sandbox for testing virtual asset products, and the NRS will issue a dedicated tax policy. The government is finalizing a Virtual Assets White Paper. The council must develop a harmonized implementation framework within 30 days.
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