Nigeria’s digital asset ecosystm is taking a major step forward with the launch of the Executive Certificate in Digital Assets Innovation, Industry, Regulation and Compliance (DAIIRC) by Cambridge Enterprise. Designed for regulators, policymakers, compliance officers, and industry leaders, the six-week online programme provides the tools and knowledge to navigate blockchain technology, cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) in the Nigerian context.
The programme is delivered in partnership with local and regional players: Busha, Nigeria’s first SEC-licensed digital asset exchange; A&D Forensics, a blockchain intelligence and compliance firm; and SEC Nigeria, which brings regulatory expertise and policy insights to participants.
Dr. Dee Allen, Programme Director at Cambridge Enterprise, highlighted its local relevance:
“At Cambridge, we believe that meaningful education happens when academic insight meets real-world relevance. This programme brings together global research, policy frameworks, and market practice to support regulators and industry leaders navigating the complex world of digital assets. We are especially proud to be working with the SEC, Busha and A&D to contextualise this learning for the African financial ecosystem, and to contribute to the development of informed, capable leadership across the continent.”
The launch comes at a pivotal moment for Nigeria, as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recently established a study group on stablecoins and digital assets to explore frameworks for adoption and regulatory oversight, demonstrating the country’s proactive approach to blockchain-based financial innovation.
Dr. Emomotimi Agama, Director-General of SEC Nigeria, stressed the programme’s importance for the country:
“As Africa stands on the threshold of a digital economic transformation, the role of forward-thinking regulation becomes more critical than ever. At the SEC, we recognise that innovation must be met with deep understanding, structured oversight and bold capacity-building. This partnership with Cambridge University, Busha and A&D Forensics to deliver a world-class executive programme reflects our commitment to equipping regulators, policymakers and market leaders with the tools they need to engage with digital assets from a position of confidence, not caution. We are not just responding to change, we are helping to shape it for the stability, growth and inclusion of our capital markets.”
Olaoluwa Samuel-Biyi, Co-founder and Director of Compliance at Busha, highlighted Nigeria’s growing alignment of innovation and regulation:
“We are seeing increasing alignment between innovation and regulation in Nigeria. As the CBN explores stablecoin frameworks and the SEC deepens its engagement with the digital asset market, executive programmes like DAIIRC ensure that the right people—regulators and stakeholders, bankers, and fintech founders—are equipped with the knowledge to make informed, forward-looking decisions.”
Deji Owonibi, Senior Partner at A&D Forensics, emphasized the programme’s hands-on approach:
“We are proud to partner with Cambridge Enterprise, the SEC and Busha on a programme that does not just talk about innovation but demonstrates how to apply it safely. Our contribution ensures participants gain real-world knowledge of blockchain analytics, fraud prevention, and compliance, skills that are critical for trust and accountability in the digital economy.”
Nigeria is already a major player in the digital asset space, recording over US$50 billion in cryptocurrency transaction volume between July 2023 and June 2024. While adoption in institutional finance has been slowed by low technical capacity, programmes like DAIIRC are critical for building a shared understanding between regulators and innovators and fostering a secure, compliant ecosystem.
The six-week online programme costs $1,500 and is open to Nigerian regulators, central bank officials, securities and market regulators, compliance professionals, fintech founders, and senior finance executives across Africa. Applications can be submitted at www.daiirc.com.
Busha continues to lead Nigeria’s digital finance market with secure trading, stablecoin payments, and treasury solutions to over a million users. Cambridge Enterprise bridges world-leading academic research with global impact, supporting innovation and leadership in digital finance. A&D Forensics strengthens capacity across Nigeria and Africa through blockchain intelligence, compliance training, and certification programmes.
