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AfriTECH 5.0: Chukwuemeka Mbabaie Champions Africa’s Digital Sovereignty Through Decentralized Systems

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A powerful call for Africa to seize control of its digital future echoed through the hall at the 5th edition of the Africa Tech Alliance Forum (AfriTECH 5.0) in Lagos, as Lagos Blockchain Week Lead, Chukwuemeka Mbabaie, delivered a compelling presentation urging the continent to embrace decentralized systems as the foundation of a new, sovereign digital economy.

Mbabaie described the blockchain sector as a rapidly expanding “borderless, multi-billion-dollar industry,” already valued at more than $3 billion and growing at an unprecedented pace, and emphasized that Africans, particularly young Nigerians, must urgently position themselves to benefit from this global shift.

“You can be in Gombe or Makurdi and still earn globally. It’s a borderless environment,” he said, stressing that the blockchain ecosystem offers opportunities without the need for visas, relocation, or traditional entry barriers.

He explained that decentralized systems represent a fundamental redesign of digital infrastructure, one where no single corporation, government, or financial institution wields absolute control. Instead, authority is distributed across globally dispersed nodes and validators operating under transparent, verifiable rules enabled by blockchain and peer-to-peer technologies. This, he noted, stands in sharp contrast to Africa’s prevailing centralized systems.

While acknowledging the contributions of centralized platforms like Opay, Moniepoint, and M-Pesa in advancing financial inclusion, Mbabaie warned that their architectures leave millions vulnerable to outages, policy disruptions, and systemic failures.

He noted that blockchain networks, by comparison, rarely experience shutdowns due to their global distribution. “If a node in America goes down, the one in Gombe or China keeps the system running. That’s the beauty of space,” he said.

Beyond reliability, Mbabaie underscored digital sovereignty as decentralization’s most critical advantage. It enables financial transactions that cannot be arbitrarily blocked, digital identities that cannot be erased, and infrastructure that Africans themselves can build, own, and profit from.

“Africa owns the rails, not just rides the train,” he declared, urging stakeholders to envision a continent where Africans write the rules of their digital economy.

He broke down the foundational principles of decentralized systems, no gatekeepers, transparent rules, and universally distributed data, highlighting their superiority to traditional financial structures that can manipulate money or restrict access, adding that blockchain offers immutable transparency: “Any transaction can be seen. Any file can be tracked. Nothing disappears.”

Citing Bitcoin’s more than 200,000 active wallets and the resilience of decentralized internet initiatives like Wikipedia’s distributed network, Mbabaie argued that Africa must prepare for a future powered by smart contracts, AI-integrated protocols, and globally interoperable blockchain systems.

To fast-track this transition, he outlined three urgent policy actions for African governments and regional tech bodies:

·       Data localization and mandatory interoperability to ensure critical digital infrastructure is hosted locally and free from vendor lock-in.

·       A risk-based licensing regime for Virtual Asset Service Providers and a mandatory 90-day token classification window aligned with the VASPA framework.

·       A 50 billion Sovereign Compute Fund to support the development of African-built Large Language Models (LLMs) and on-chain AI agents capable of competing in the global AI race.

Mbabaie praised Nigeria’s recent progress in establishing regulatory and compliance structures for blockchain adoption and reiterated that the nation still leads Africa despite earlier missed opportunities, and urged young innovators, policymakers, and industry players to act decisively.

“We are at a defining moment,” he said. “If Africa embraces decentralized systems now, we can unlock long-term economic empowerment, digital independence, and true global competitiveness.”


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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

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NRS Extends Saturday Tax Office Operations Nationwide Ahead of Rev360 Rollout

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The Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) has announced the extension of weekend tax office operations across the country as part of preparations for the rollout of the Rev360 Phase I Tax Administration System.

In a public notice issued in Abuja on May 7, the Service stated that all Emerging, Medium, Large, and Government Business Offices nationwide will now open on Saturdays from May 8 to June 27, 2026.

According to the notice, the offices will operate between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

The NRS explained that the initiative is aimed at providing additional taxpayer support and improving service delivery during the implementation of the new tax administration platform for Medium and Emerging Taxpayer segments.

The Service noted that the extended Saturday operations are designed to assist taxpayers requiring guidance with the new system, facilitate seamless compliance during the June peak Companies Income Tax filing period, and improve access to tax services outside regular weekday hours.

It encouraged taxpayers to take advantage of the initiative to resolve tax-related matters, seek necessary guidance, and ensure timely compliance with their tax obligations.

“The NRS remains dedicated to delivering efficient, transparent, and taxpayer-focused services,” the statement read.

The notice was signed by Zacch Adedeji, PhD, Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service. “You say Transformation, We say Rev360.”


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NCS, Gowon University Partner on Research, Development

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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Yakubu Gowon University have moved to formalise a strategic alliance aimed at advancing national security research, border management studies, and student welfare.

Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, made this known during a visit by the University’s Vice Chancellor Professor Hakeem Fawehinmi, to the headquarters of the agency yesterday in Abuja.

Adeniyi noted that the collaboration marks a significant step in bridging the gap between paramilitary operations and academic research. “I have a long institutional history with this university,” CGC Adeniyi remarked.

He noting that previous attempts to sign a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) were interrupted by leadership transitions and that the Service is now committed to a phased implementation of support, focusing on projects with the highest impact on the learning environment.

Adeniyi said “For us, beyond legacy, what matters most is impact. We understand the realities facing Nigerian universities, from transportation challenges to infrastructure gaps.

“Our interest is to support initiatives that will create a conducive learning environment and positively impact students.”

He also stressed the importance of the university in relation to its status of the nation’s capital u University. He pledged to support the institution in meeting the demands of its 40,000-strong student population.

Responding, Professor Fawehinmi highlighted the university’s Centre for Defence and Migration Studies as a critical hub for the partnership.

He suggested that the centre could provide the NCS with specialised research into national security and executive training for officers.

“Support in areas such as mass transit buses, ICT infrastructure, research facilities, and professional collaboration will significantly strengthen our capacity,” the Vice Chancellor noted, adding that as the only conventional public university in the Federal Capital Territory, the institution carries enormous responsibilities.


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CRMI Warns of Risks, Sees Gains in UAE Exit from OPEC

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Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI) has highlighted potential benefits for Nigeria such as increased production flexibility, expanded market share, and improved revenue prospects following the United Arab Emirates’ decision to exit the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

CRMI Warns of Risks, Sees Gains in UAE Exit from OPEC

However, the Institute cautioned that these opportunities come with significant risks, including exposure to price volatility, reduced protection from coordinated supply management, intensified competition, and mounting fiscal pressures.

In a statement signed by Victor Olannye, registrar/chief executive officer, described the development as a major shift in global oil governance, with far-reaching implications for market stability and international energy dynamics.

Olannye noted that the move could trigger increased oil price volatility, heightened geopolitical tensions, and disruptions across global energy supply chains.

He urged corporate organisations, public institutions, financial bodies, and risk professionals to reassess their risk frameworks and strengthen resilience in response to evolving global realities.

He identified key risks to include a potential weakening of OPEC cohesion, oil price instability, geopolitical uncertainty, supply chain disruptions, macroeconomic volatility, and the possibility of further exits by member states.

In line with its mandate to promote sound risk management and support national development, the Institute advised corporate organisations to implement robust risk management frameworks, adopt dynamic hedging strategies, and diversify their business portfolios.

Financial institutions and investors were also urged to reassess energy-related risks, strengthen portfolio diversification, and enhance risk disclosure practices.

CRMI further called on government and policymakers to reinforce fiscal buffers, accelerate economic diversification, and promote the transition to renewable energy.

Individual risk professionals were encouraged to upskill in geopolitical risk analysis and energy economics while developing expertise in scenario planning and predictive analytics.

The Institute emphasised the need for stakeholders to reposition proactively to navigate the evolving geo-economic landscape. It also projected possible scenarios, including fragmentation of global oil governance structures, increased reliance on market-driven pricing mechanisms, and an acceleration of global energy transition efforts.

 


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