By Martin Ekpeke
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s blockchain and digital asset ecosystem yesterday witnessed a historic transition of power as Obinna Iwuno, the President of the Stakeholders in Blockchain Technology Association of Nigeria (SiBAN), officially handed over the mantle of leadership to a new elected Executive Council.
After a tenure marked by unprecedented growth, institutional stability, and visionary leadership, Iwuno’s exit marks the conclusion of a defining era for Nigeria’s premier blockchain association.
When Obinna Iwuno took the helm of leadership a few years ago, he inherited an association at a crossroads. But through strategic foresight, he successfully transformed SiBAN from a community-based group into a world-class organization with structured governance and global recognition.
Under his watch, the association’s strength and influence grew exponentially, establishing SiBAN as the primary bridge between the blockchain industry and government regulators.
Iwuno’s leadership was most evident during periods of intense industry volatility. Throughout his tenure, he navigated the association through complex regulatory shifts and market downturns. His diplomacy-first approach allowed the industry to survive multiple crises, ensuring that Nigeria remained a top destination for blockchain innovation despite global and local headwinds.
Last month, in a rare display of statesmanship within the tech space, Iwuno oversaw the organization of an election with absolute transparency, which led to the swearing-in of the new executive yesterday. Despite widespread support and an environment that favored his continued stay in office, Iwuno made the principled choice not to participate in the elections.
“A leader’s greatest success is not in the length of his stay, but in the strength of the foundation he leaves behind,” Iwuno stated in a statement.
By choosing to step down when the applause was loudest, he has set a new benchmark for corporate governance and succession planning in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem.
The Iwuno administration achieved significant institutional growth by expanding the membership base to include major global and local digital asset players. Under his leadership, SiBAN successfully drove regulatory engagement by advocating for clearer and more robust frameworks for blockchain operations within Nigeria. The administration also focused on foundation building through the establishment of standard operating procedures that effectively professionalized the association’s daily activities. Finally, Obinna Iwuno ensured a smooth democratic transition by supervising a fair and credible electoral process designed to usher in the next generation of industry leaders.
The upcoming handover ceremony in January is expected to be a high-profile event, celebrating the grand style of a leader who prioritized the health of the industry over personal ambition as Iwuno leaves behind a robust, influential, and united SiBAN, ready to tackle the challenges of the 2026 digital economy.
The SiBAN Board of Trustees and members nationwide express their profound gratitude to Mr. Iwuno for his selfless service and for laying the solid foundation upon which the future of Nigerian blockchain technology will be built.