Tinubu Supported Cryptocurrency Long Before Trump, Says SEC DG
Emomotimi Agama, the Director General of Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), has asserted that President Bola Tinubu was a proponent of the cryptocurrency industry well before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump expressed his support.
Speaking at the African Financial Industry Summit in Casablanca, Morocco, Agama shared that Tinubu’s endorsement of the cryptocurrency sector was evident from the moment he appointed Agama to lead the SEC, given his long-standing interest in the industry.
When asked about his participation in the event, Agama emphasized the importance of integrating African capital markets and financial systems, noting the goal of making services accessible to all Africans, regardless of their location.
Agama also addressed the state of cryptocurrency in Nigeria, crediting the current administration for its positive actions in the sector. He highlighted that President Tinubu deserved recognition for supporting cryptocurrency initiatives long before Trump’s involvement.
“I think we should first acknowledge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his visionary decisions, including his appointments at the SEC. As someone passionate about cryptocurrency, I was appointed as the DG of the SEC, and that speaks volumes. Even before President Trump considered the matter, our own president had already recognized its potential,” Agama said.
He also mentioned the establishment of the Regulatory Incubation and the Accelerated Regulatory Incubation Programme, designed to ensure that necessary steps were being taken to regulate the sector effectively.
Agama explained that the SEC is focused on organizing and understanding the activities of crypto exchanges to assess and mitigate risks. In collaboration with relevant authorities, the SEC is also working to democratize access to cryptocurrency for Nigeria’s youth and the broader African population.
