Dr Nicky Okoye drives the adoption of Digital Asset MARKETS for Nigeria’s Digital economic revolution.

Nigeria’s financial and capital markets took a significant leap into the future of digital finance at a landmark strategy session and masterclass hosted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in Lagos, in partnership with the Global Investment Advisory (GIA) community.

The highlight of the event was a keynote address by Dr. Nicky Okoye, founder and Chairman of GIA and a renowned global investment advisor, who provided a comprehensive outlook on Nigeria’s emerging digital asset markets. The session drew an overflowing audience of key stakeholders, including financial institutions, capital market professionals, technology experts, and investors.

Dr. Okoye underscored the transformative potential of the new Investment and Securities Act 2025 (ISA 2025), recently signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The act provides a regulatory framework for digital assets, authorizes the use of cryptocurrencies, and establishes a legal foundation for token issuance in Nigeria.

“The digital asset markets in Nigeria, and our ability to position for their full adoption across Africa, will redefine the continent’s economic future,” Dr. Okoye stated. “These markets will reflect a true measure of Nigeria’s wealth, and will be built on blockchain infrastructure tied to physical assets—making them less volatile and truly revolutionary.”

The event also featured strategic contributions from several high-profile figures:

Joseph Tegbe, Director General of the Nigeria–China Strategic Partnership, provided insights into China’s global investment efforts and opportunities for Nigeria to tap into Chinese institutional capital through digital assets.

Bola Ajomale, representing SEC’s Director General Dr. Timi Agama, assured attendees that SEC had laid the groundwork for a transparent, investor-friendly digital asset ecosystem.

Senator Osita Izunaso, Chairman of the Nigerian Senate Committee on Capital Markets, pledged continued legislative collaboration to deepen Nigeria’s digital and capital markets.

Mr. Yomi Oluyomi, Lagos State Commissioner of Finance, representing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, reaffirmed Lagos State’s readiness to lead the charge in adopting digital asset frameworks, noting the state’s history of innovation in structured government-backed bonds.

Notable members of the Global Investment Advisory community present included MERISTEM Group, CardinalStone, Constant Capital, Anabel Capital, and VFD Group.

To cap off the event, the Global Investment Advisory community announced plans for an international digital asset markets roadshow, where select members will explore best practices from global cryptocurrency exchanges. In partnership with the African Enterprise Institute, GIA also launched executive education programs in Digital Asset Markets Strategy. These programs aim to equip financial executives with tools, roadmaps, and strategies for profitably navigating the digital asset space.

The executive certifications will also offer pathways for the establishment of Digital Asset Professional Services, corporate digital asset desks, and tokenization models for wealth creation—targeted at institutional investors, asset managers, and subnational entities.

The session marks a bold step toward aligning Nigeria with global trends in digital finance, with stakeholders expressing optimism about the country’s potential to become a continental hub for digital asset innovation.

Aare George Bamidele Olufemi Ogunjimi to Receive Prestigious “Aare Atunluse Omoluabi Oodua Agbaye”

In a landmark recognition of his extraordinary leadership, unrelenting commitment to Yoruba cultural renaissance, and contributions to socio-economic development, Aare George Ogunjimi has been nominated to receive the highly prestigious Omoluabi Royal Icon (ORI) Award and will be conferred with the revered title of “Aare Atunluse Omoluabi Oodua Agbaye” at the 26th Anniversary of the Yoruba Council Worldwide (YCW) and the 7th Annual Omoluabi Festival.

The grand cultural celebration, tagged “ISOKAN OMOLUABI 2025”, is scheduled to take place on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at the Main Auditorium, June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, Ogun State, by 11:00AM prompt. Themed “Review of the 1999 Constitution: A Focus on Regionalism,” the festival promises to be a melting pot of ideas, heritage, and celebration of Yoruba identity.

The Yoruba Council Worldwide (YCW), also known as Igbimo Apapo Yoruba Lagbaye, serves as the apex body representing all Yoruba indigenous people across the globe. The council honors individuals who have distinguished themselves in the service of the Yoruba nation and beyond, celebrating their dedication to upholding the values of Omoluabi—integrity, honor, courage, and communal service.

In a formal letter of nomination extended to Aare Ogunjimi, YCW lauded his unwavering efforts in nation-building, cultural promotion, and fostering unity across Yorubaland and the Nigerian federation at large. The conferral of Aare Atunluse Omoluabi Oodua Agbaye—translated as “Global Yoruba Pathfinder and Cultural Reformer”—underscores his remarkable legacy as a transformative leader and an advocate for the advancement of Yoruba heritage on the global stage.

This year’s celebration will witness the presence of the crème de la crème of Yoruba royalty and cultural custodians. His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi CFR, Ojaja II, Ooni of Ife, and Iku Baba Yeye, Alayeluwa Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, Alaafin of Oyo, will jointly lead the royal convergence of Yoruba traditional rulers and stakeholders in what is described as the “Biggest Festival in Yorubaland.”

The festival will feature a rich showcase of cultural heritage including:

The Omoluabi Royal Icon (ORI) Awards

Festival of Arts and Dance Drama

Ewa Omidan and Ogbeni Omoluabi Beauty Pageant & Fashion Show

Stakeholder forums on governance, heritage, and development

The ORI Awards spotlight individuals who are not only successful in their careers but who embody the Yoruba values of humility, dignity, and service to humanity.

The organizers have called for partnership and sponsorship support to further enrich the grandeur of this epochal event, as it represents a convergence of tradition, unity, and innovation, heralding a new cultural renaissance.

As preparations intensify, the Yoruba Council Worldwide and its partners invite the general public, cultural enthusiasts, and stakeholders across Nigeria and the diaspora to join in honoring Aare George Ogunjimi and celebrating Yoruba excellence.

Land grabbers invade Ketu-Epe, unleash terror on residents

Hoodlums suspected to be land grabbers on Thursday night invaded Ketu-Epe town in Lagos State and unleashed terror on residents of the town.

The land grabbers, according to a statement signed by the Media Assistant to Babjide Adekoya Adewofora, the Oba-elect of Ketu-Epe, Simon Adesina, copies made available to journalists in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Friday, stormed the sleepy town with dangerous weapons, inflicting injuries on the residents.

He added that the hoodlums who invaded the town from Rallas Street along Palace Road, also carted away belongings of the residents.

Adesina explained that the attack on Thursday night climaxed the three weeks of terrorizing the community and spreading fear among the residents by the hoodlums, who were allegedly brought into Ketu-Epe by a contestant vying for the stool Alaketu-Epe.

While saying that the incident has made several residents flee the town due to the offensive by the notorious land grabbers, he disclosed that the hoodlums were brought to the Ketu-Epe from neighbouring communities such as Ejirin, Ayalu and Isekupa.

Adesina in the statement, however, appealed to the police and other relevant security agencies to come to the aid of the town, stressing that “residents can no longer sleep with their two eyes closed due to the constant attacks by the hoodlums”.

“Those who sustained critical injuries were moved to hospital for immediate medical attention, while the matter has also been reported to the police”.

“It will be recalled that the Alaketu-designate, Prince Babjide Adekoya Adewofora, had earlier alerted the police on the constant threats posed by land grabbers to his community

“We, thereby, appeal to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police and the Inspector General of Police to come to rescue the people of Ketu-Epe from notorious land grabbers who have made life difficult for the residents”, the statement stated.