Tinubu Recognized Cryptocurrency Potential Ahead of Trump, Says SEC DG

At the African Financial Industry Summit in Casablanca, Morocco, the Director-General of the Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Emomotimi Agama, highlighted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s early embrace of cryptocurrency, claiming it predates similar moves by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. Agama pointed to Tinubu’s proactive stance on digital assets as a foundational step in positioning Nigeria as a leader in the evolving financial technology space.

Agama emphasized that Tinubu’s commitment to the cryptocurrency sector is reflected in key decisions, including his appointment as SEC DG. “I have been an enthusiast of cryptocurrency, and the president deemed it fit to make me the DG of the SEC. That is phenomenal. Even before President Trump started thinking about cryptocurrency, our president had already taken the initiative,” he stated.

At the summit, Agama discussed broader efforts to integrate African financial markets and the SEC’s initiatives to regulate and foster growth within the crypto sector. These include the development of frameworks such as the Regulatory Incubation and Accelerated Regulatory Incubation programs, which aim to provide structured oversight of crypto exchanges and assess associated risks.

He further noted that the SEC, alongside other stakeholders, is working to democratize cryptocurrency access in Nigeria, particularly for the youth and broader African markets. Agama praised Tinubu’s foresight, asserting that his administration has laid the groundwork for a robust and innovative financial ecosystem powered by digital technologies.