The National Vice Chairman (South-East) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for signing the Presidential Executive Order on Virtual Assets Coordination, 2026, describing it as a landmark reform that will strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy, protect investors, and position the country as a leading hub for financial technology innovation in Africa.
In a statement made available to newsmen on Friday, Dr. Arodiogbu praised President Tinubu for what he described as another bold and forward-looking policy under the Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that the Executive Order would create a more transparent, secure, and coordinated regulatory framework for virtual assets and blockchain technology.
According to him, the President’s decision to establish a coordinated system for regulating virtual assets demonstrates his administration’s commitment to embracing innovation while safeguarding Nigeria’s financial system against fraud, money laundering, terrorism financing, cybercrime, and other emerging risks.
Dr. Arodiogbu particularly welcomed the establishment of the Virtual Asset Council, chaired by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), with the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) serving as vice-chairpersons, alongside the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
He said the new framework would eliminate regulatory overlaps, improve cooperation among government agencies, and provide clarity for businesses and investors operating in Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital asset ecosystem.
The APC South-East leader also applauded the creation of the Virtual Asset Office, which will coordinate information sharing and regulatory activities among participating agencies through an integrated supervisory technology platform.
According to Dr. Arodiogbu, the Executive Order strikes a balance between innovation and regulation by preserving the statutory powers of existing institutions while ensuring seamless collaboration to close loopholes previously exploited by fraudulent operators.
He further praised the Federal Government’s decision to establish a regulatory sandbox under the Central Bank of Nigeria, describing it as a significant step toward encouraging responsible innovation in blockchain technology and digital finance. He noted that the initiative would allow new products and services to be tested under regulatory supervision before being introduced into the wider market, thereby strengthening consumer protection and financial stability.
Dr. Arodiogbu also welcomed plans by the Nigeria Revenue Service to introduce a dedicated tax policy for virtual assets, saying it would provide certainty for operators, encourage voluntary tax compliance, and ensure that the growing digital economy contributes meaningfully to national revenue.
He described the ongoing preparation of a comprehensive Virtual Assets White Paper as another strategic initiative that would provide long-term policy direction for investors, regulators, financial institutions, and technology companies.
According to him, President Tinubu has once again demonstrated visionary leadership by positioning Nigeria to take advantage of opportunities in the global digital economy while ensuring that innovation operates within a secure and transparent regulatory environment.
Dr. Arodiogbu urged technology entrepreneurs, fintech companies, blockchain developers, investors, and young Nigerians to leverage the new framework responsibly, expressing confidence that it would enhance investor confidence, create employment opportunities, attract foreign direct investment, and accelerate Nigeria’s transition into a digitally driven economy.
He reaffirmed the APC’s support for President Tinubu’s economic reforms, stating that the Executive Order reflects the administration’s determination to modernize Nigeria’s financial architecture, strengthen economic governance, and build a globally competitive digital economy under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
