Blockchain Technology Association Gets New President

Stakeholders in Blockchain Technology Association of Nigeria (SiBAN), have chosen Mela Claude-Ake as the new President of the Association.

Claude-Ake took over from Obinna Iwuno, who stepped down as President after completing his tenure.

Iwuno’s exit follows a tenure widely regarded as the most consequential in the association’s history, during which SiBAN evolved from a loosely coordinated community into a structured, policy-facing institution with national and global relevance.

Through his strategic leadership and governance reforms, the former President repositioned SiBAN as the principal interface between blockchain operators and government regulators, providing the industry with a coordinated voice at a time of regulatory uncertainty.

Meanwhile, his administration steered the association through periods of market volatility and policy headwinds, sustaining investor confidence and keeping Nigeria on the global blockchain innovation map.

Observers note that his diplomacy-driven engagement model helped avert regulatory breakdowns that could have stalled sector growth.

With this move earning widespread commendation across the technology community, the ex-SiBAN President supervised a transparent electoral process last month that produced the new executive leadership. Despite calls for continuity, he declined to contest, opting instead to entrench democratic succession within the association.

Iwuno said leadership is defined by the strength of the institution left behind, not the duration of personal control.

Under his stewardship, SiBAN expanded its membership to include leading local and international digital asset firms, deepened regulatory engagement for clearer operational frameworks, and introduced standard operating procedures that professionalised internal processes.

However, a formal handover ceremony scheduled for January is expected to draw key industry players and regulators, celebrating the legacy of an administration that prioritised institutional stability over personal ambition.

Consequently, the SiBAN Board of Trustees and members nationwide have commended Iwuno for laying a durable foundation for the future of Nigeria’s blockchain ecosystem as the association prepares for the demands of the 2026 digital economy.