Stakeholders in Nigeria’s blockchain and digital asset ecosystem are preparing for a leadership transition as Obinna Iwuno concludes his tenure as president of the Stakeholders in Blockchain Technology Association of Nigeria (SiBAN), following a period marked by sweeping institutional reforms and deeper regulatory engagement.
Iwuno is set to formally step aside this January after the completion of an internal electoral process that produced a new executive leadership team expected to be sworn in later this month. While he will no longer hold the presidency, industry observers say his influence within Nigeria’s blockchain ecosystem is likely to endure, given his role in reshaping SiBAN’s structure, governance framework, and policy posture.
When Iwuno assumed office, SiBAN largely operated as a loosely organised, community-driven association with limited national visibility. Under his leadership, the organisation evolved into a more formalised institution with defined governance systems, a professional administrative structure, and stronger engagement with regulators and key industry stakeholders.
Founded to represent blockchain and digital asset operators at a time of regulatory uncertainty and market volatility, SiBAN increasingly positioned itself under Iwuno as a bridge between private-sector innovators and public institutions. His tenure coincided with growing scrutiny of digital assets in Nigeria, placing the association at the centre of critical policy conversations.
One of the most notable milestones of Iwuno’s presidency was the adoption of a formal Code of Ethics, alongside constitutional and electoral reforms aimed at strengthening governance, accountability, and internal democracy. These measures, members say, laid the foundation for institutional continuity beyond individual leadership.
Iwuno also oversaw the establishment of a functional Secretariat staffed with full-time employees to manage the association’s day-to-day operations, marking a shift away from volunteer-led coordination. As part of this transition, SiBAN opened its first physical office in Abuja, a move designed to improve access to policymakers and regulators while reinforcing its national presence.
The association’s professionalisation extended to the development of standard operating procedures and the expansion of its membership base to include both local and international digital asset stakeholders. During this period, SiBAN entered strategic partnerships with industry players such as Roqqu, aimed at promoting blockchain adoption, education, and structured regulatory engagement.
Engagement with public institutions also deepened under Iwuno’s leadership. SiBAN strengthened collaboration with bodies including the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NiTDA), contributing to clearer dialogue around digital asset oversight, compliance, and policy development.
Beyond internal reforms, Iwuno represented SiBAN at several high-level policy and compliance platforms, including the NCMI Compliance Summit 2025, the FATF/GIABA Joint Experts Meeting 2025, Moonshot 2025, and the Nigeria Stablecoin Summit. These engagements helped position the association as a credible stakeholder in regional and continental blockchain policy discussions.
A technology and blockchain professional, Iwuno is the founder of CBC Blockchain Services, a firm providing growth, compliance, and technical solutions in the blockchain space. He has been actively involved in industry and regulatory dialogues focused on responsible innovation and compliance-driven adoption.
In December, he supervised what members described as a transparent internal election that produced a new executive leadership team. Despite calls from some quarters to seek another term, Iwuno declined to contest.
“A leader’s greatest success is not in the length of his stay, but in the strength of the foundation he leaves behind,” he told BusinessDay.
Analysts and industry partners have credited SiBAN’s progress under Iwuno to its improved governance standards, expanded regulatory engagement, and growing institutional credibility, describing the association as more structured and visible than at any point in its history.
As SiBAN prepares for a formal handover, the association enters its next phase with a clearer governance framework, a permanent operational base, and stronger institutional relationships, marking a significant departure from where it stood at the beginning of Iwuno’s tenure.
