Digital Assets and the VASP Regulatory Regime.
The regulatory landscape for digital assets has evolved beyond its initial uncertainty with the
implementation of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Digital Assets Rules.
Understanding The National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy (NIPPS) 2025
In a groundbreaking decision for Nigeria’s innovation landscape, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved
the National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy (NIPPS) in November 2025. This policy signifies a major
transformation aimed at modernizing Nigeria’s intellectual property framework. It seeks to incorporate intellectual
property into the larger digital transformation agenda and align with the Startup Act of 2022.
Institutional Integration of Tokenized Assets and DeFi
The maturation of Decentralized Finance (DeFi) is moving beyond speculative crypto-assets toward the tokenization of real-world assets (RWA) and institutional-grade infrastructure.
Satellite Broadband and the Transition to Direct-to-Cell Connectivity.
The Nigerian telecommunications industry is undergoing a substantial transformation
as satellite-based internet services shift from being niche enterprise solutions to becoming
mainstream consumer options. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) plays a
pivotal role in this evolution by actively licensing Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) providers,
which is steering the market towards the implementation of “Direct-to-Cell” (D2C) technology.
Global Protection for Genetic Resources & Traditional Knowledge
A Significant Milestone in May 2024: The Adoption of the WIPO Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources, and Associated Traditional Knowledge (GRATK).
Mandatory Tax ID Validation and Digital Reporting in Nigeria
Effective January 1, 2026, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA) heralds a transformative era of compliance for financial institutions. Pursuant to this legislation, banks and fintech companies are henceforth mandated to validate Tax Identification Numbers (TIN) for all individuals and corporate entities during the onboarding process, as well as for any subsequent account-related activities.
Enforcement of Critical National Information Infrastructure Protections
The governance of digital infrastructure in Nigeria has evolved from a reactive security stance
to a proactive legal protection model through the “Designation and Protection of Critical National
Information Infrastructure (CNII) Order.”
The Economic Value of Geographical Indications (GIs) in IP
Following a global trend where regions protect the unique identity of their products, exemplified by Ghana officially granting Geographical Indication (GI) status to Kente cloth in September 2025; there is an intensifying policy push for a dedicated GI framework in Nigeria.
Nigerian Capital Market Transitions to T+2 Settlement Cycle
The Nigerian capital market has achieved a significant milestone by transitioning its securities trading from a T+3 settlement cycle to a T+2 settlement cycle. To understand the importance of this change, it is helpful to first define these terms, which refer to the time it takes for a trade to be finalized.