Bitcoin Forum

As the gap for Bitcoin adoption in the African Largest country Nigeria 🇳🇬 and also referred to as, Giant of Africa Nigeria get widening.
 Nigeria is among highest country in cryptocurrency trading volume, Next to countries like the United States 🇺🇸. Even though the government have not made a public announcement of cryptocurrency adoption.
A large number of Nigeria 🇳🇬 citizens are now aware of the fact that Bitcoin proffered best solution as an alternative currency. PHCN the body responsible for energy control and collection of power revenue Bills and Pre-paid customers, have adopted Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for payment of energy consumption in Nigeria.
https://i.ibb.co/GQwTW8M/Screenshot-2022-0811-192035-11zon.jpg (https://imgbb.com/)
More reading and source: https://thecryptobasic.com/2022/08/10/nigerians-can-now-pay-their-utility-bills-with-bitcoin/

But I thought Nigerian government was explicity against the use of Bitcoin within the country?
I recall watching on Youtube some Nigerian politicians claiming that Bitcoin adoption had hurt the trust in their national currency.

And there were some imposed frictions by the banks so people could not transact with Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrency so easily?

Of course, I am aware that Bitcoin cannot be declared illegal and expect people to abandon it so easily, but I assumed anti-Bitcoin measures were enforced there.

That sanctioning was on the banks.
prior to the sanctioning from the Central bank against banks direct involvement to Bitcoin transaction, some commercial banks in Nigeria we're involved in Bitcoin direct transactions services such banks like Access banks and Union Bank of Nigeria. But aside from that Nigerians are still involved in Bitcoin/cryptocurrency activities such as p2p trading without and harassment or fear, so many cryptocurrencies Ads run on the National TVs and that leads us to the conclusion that Nigeria 🇳🇬 still have flexible approach to Bitcoin.

Here's to hoping many more energy providers follow suit. Honestly, when Bitcoin can be easily used for essentials like groceries, and mortgage/rent, I believe there's not much stopping adoption for Bitcoin then. People will with time come to terms with it, learn about it, and it'll come somewhat nature, especially if we can simplify it for the layman a little more.

We'll probably see bank services move to cryptocurrencies which does defeat some of the point, but I'm not entirely against that, since I understand some people prefer to have people looking after their money, than trusting themselves. Definitely not for me, but I can see the use case. If the government, banks, and crypto can somewhat integrate it'll be good for adoption. Obviously, I'm hoping most users will go the route of managing their own money though, but its hard to see it catch on at this point. Paying for rent, and energy bills would be a huge step though. 

Utility bills? Nigeria? Bitcoin as it is, is currently banned in Nigeria. It is not acceptable to be found trading cryptocurrency. So the idea of Bitcoin moving from being banned and unacceptable to a legal currency would not be a walk in the park. Achievable but but steep.

With all the said and done, i believe the country Nigeria is getting closer by turning a new leave on it initial approach on cryptocurrency in general, if they can start with the adoption of bitcoin specifically then it will increases the more chances to believing in its delivery capacity in receiving payment, i could remember some fee months back when it introduces new regulations on crypto related activities that pave more ways for the use of bitcoin within the country but still yet remained stiveneck on it adoption, but it legality is also a plus advantage on the citizens.

I see this and I wonder if its the same Nigeria that seems very unwelcome when they see a crypto application on your gadget! Well things have been changing a lot lately with people taking it up with authorities on various social media's and the agencies being encouraging on how civilians rights should be respected and directives on how to handle certain situations.
As unbelievable as it may seem and am yet to believe until I successfully pay for utility bill with crypto, am not so excited of the news yet. Who knows, this could be some ay to track account and people that uses crypto within the nation.
It would be something if this change actually come around.

This is actually possible just like the way other merchants like Access, Opay, and Moneypoint are operating as points of sales to facilitate users to purchase an electric unit without going through the company but I'm skeptical about how this Finance protocol intends to settle PHCN.
PHCN is not a single company, we have AEDC, IBDEC, JEDC, BEDC and many more, if the users pay bitcoin to purchase units from Manilla Finance, how are they going to settle the electric distribution companies because they don't recognise Bitcoin as legal assets in the country, I'm even afraid more when the government want to kick against this kind of idea.

Yes Anti-Bitcoin measures were implemented but no was stood up to enforce them. Nigeria is one the few countries in the world where laws are been made to hunt the masses not for the betterment of the nation. Nigerian attended this status of one of the highest countries with large volume of cryptocurrency trading because of high inflation rate and devaluation of our local currency. it is sad the Nigerian government has turned blind eyes to this because the keep most of their reserve in foreign currencies

but, right now, can they actually pay without getting in trouble? reading the previous posts it seems that bitcoin is banned in Nigeria and reading the article, although they have added the option of being able to pay with cryptocurrency it seems that it would still be risky to do so because the PHCN is hoping that the regulators will loosen their rules so the Nigerian citizen can pay without getting in trouble.

Bitcoin payment is quite easy to implement and at some point, government agencies that are scheduled with the responsibility of collecting tax will adopt measures in which the balance that is collected in the best possible way, and energy is one of those sources. Countries are beginning to take income tax on digital currencies such as Bitcoin and the rest, if the government has approved that agency to allow bills to be paid using digital currency it will give a more flexible payment option to taxpayers.

And, if sanctions are on the banks how is the payment going to the utility providers?
I've read the whole interview and it looks like he is definitely trying to avoid answering thi s with useless walls of text:
https://nairametrics.com/2022/08/10/nigerians-can-now-pay-utility-bills-with-crypto-rutherford-atayobo-ceo-manilla-finance/


I fail to understand this, you don't ditch fiat but you use an alternative, this is simply something that is impossible, as you can't use an alternative without actually ditching the first choice, that's what an alternative is, and somehow you magically change cryptos into fiat and you pay the companies with what? A truckload of cash and you pay one by one each bill at a PayPoint machine?


So, if you take crypto and you deal with fiat, it's not the same?
What magic does that app summons to use and not use a system at the same time?

Nigeria had time to make me frown with the news of the policy against the adoption of bitcoin. But I feel if this news came it was the result of another collaboration. I agree with other friends, whether it's any institution or banking, it is a good role to play. If it becomes a currency there are still pros and cons in some countries if it becomes a means of payment to facilitate the need for state contributions, in my opinion it will relieve because some communities will feel at home if this goes on even though it takes time

This is really a great move by PHDCN it is indeed spreading the max adoption of bitcoin. Hope for other sector of service providers to accept bitcoin such like the DStv, Gotv, Stronge, Startime and many more to ease us and reduce the hassle from queuing on our local currencies. I met other local stores that accepted Bitcoin for shopping was very excited seeing that one can buy with cryptocurrency.
I believe after the presidential Election come 2023 there will be a revolution

Are you about to elect a new leader in your country, it's funny how you talk about election and anticipate revolution at the same time. If the country is about to go in for presidential election then why calling for revolution which only leads to a total forceful change of government and its institutions.
Let me not deviate from the topic of discussion as it borders on Bitcoin payment which should be a favorable payment alternative to the fiat currency. Utility payment is one of the taxes citizens pay more often so the need for effective and easy alternative options is a welcome development.

Truly cryptocurrency is banned in Nigeria the article looks suspicious to me because the Central Bank of Nigerian CBN being the apex and regulator of all banks had notified all the commercial banks to freeze any account that had done any crypto related transactions, if a transactions is processed and remarked as crypto transaction that account will be frozen, however I was surprised to read the article about PHCN adoption of Bitcoin as a means of payment of utility bills contrary to the government non acceptance of Bitcoin, personally I won't advice any subscriber to start payment now so as not to get into trouble but rather wait till the government makes a new statement on crypto related transactions.

If this you have said is genuine to go by then that's a welcomed development as others would follow suit. Though Nigerian government I have heard of has not really made any comment in respect to sanctioning Crypto currency but rather kept mute over it for long now but however, I heard the Nigerian national assembly I on the verge of passing a bill in respect to that and I pray it scales through for them. Though there are many Nigerians in the blockchain industry and are really ready to take this course serious in sensitizing their fellow Nigerians and mostly the government and law makers on the benefits of blockchain adoption and integration into the system. I pray this works out fast and good for Nigerians.

Is it truly banned in Nigeria? Or not officially legal yet?

In countries where cryptocurrency is not offically legal, people and services built for crypto trading, exchanging will not leave information of bank transfer that it is exchanged for crypto.

In addition, some trade partners can intentionally or mistakenly include it in bank transfer detail. So how the bank and government can double check and verify that it is correct. If a trade partner (scammer) want to play bad, it is one of attack on your bank account. But banks can not rely only on one side to judge about your account and move seriously to freeze it.

That's a start. When BTC becomes a means for every day payments, than we can have mass adoption. Until then BTC and crypto will only be considered an investment, and when it's only and investment, then it's left to the ones who have the means to invest, and that's not everyone.

Wow, this is great that now they accept bitcoin in electricity bills. I really wanted to have this experience in my life too. But I don't know when these things will be possible in my country. Because I pay my electricity bill with mobile banking, in this process, I have to spend some tax too, like I need to convert from crypto to cash. But if I can pay with crypto direct, then I just need to pay from my wallet direct, which is only a one-time blockchain network fee. Let's wait for the time when I can use the same experience.

Paying from mobile bank apps and direct billing is what it used to be, but lately the Electricity cooperation of Nigeria have undergone a lot of changes and different companies manage electricity distribution in various states. And many of this companies introduce new payment gateway and some now issue tokens to prepaid energy consumers. But none have introduced bitcoin payment until PHCN did with this new development customers that are inclined with cryptocurrency can not cut down double fee charging between banks and their agents.

I did some research about the Nigerian government declaration then and what they said is that the banks, public and private payment institutions should not facilitate cryptocurrency-related payments or transactions to prevent illicit transactions.
Luckily, I was made to find their government statement through Google.

The Youtube video you watched provided misinformation and if not the latest Bitcoin village that some groups are working on won't have pushed through but I am surprised about what the OP said about a government body in charge of electricity now accepting Bitcoin as payment.

Wow!!! Nigeria is gradually progressing to the permanent side. This is a very good development. This is a very good news and information. But what we need is not only PHCN but for daily purchases of things in the localities. We need things like Garri, Mama puts (restaurants), Clothing, etc, mostly food items should be bought with bitcoin. Yes a large number of people who use bitcoin in the country are the youths. Most age group still see bitcoin as bad currency for society.


Yes Nigerian Government was against and also instructed banks to stop the transaction of bitcoin after a very serious protest by the youth in 2020. which led to the dead of some youths in the country. But the banning was not because of the dead youths but because of the used of bitcoin in the protest. But in the second quarter of 2021 the Federal Government reluctantly release the ban but not officially announced by the Vice President. https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/445539-osinbajo-opposes-cryptocurrency-ban.html. You know bitcoin cannot be control from the central authority because it is decentralized. Bitcoin can be declared illegal but bitcoin can not be stopped in a country because the government does know who own a wallet and who does not. So the uses of bitcoin is inflow.

The country haven't supported the usage of bitcoin. To limit the usage of cryptocurrencies, Nigerian government initiated a plan executed the usage of eNaira. I don't know how far this is being used within the country, but based on different articles and posts from users from Nigeria the usage of cryptocurrencies keeps growing amidst the opposing policies from the government. However government have allowed to use cryptocurrency on one's own risk which is good for now.

according to google bitcoin remains illegal in nigeria since February 2021 Central Bank of Nigeria ban, so how would  pay Utility bills with bitcoin as a payment method if the central bank banned bitcoin? people in particular obviously continue to use bitcoin, but to say that pay Utility bills with bitcoin even though the central bank has banned bitcoin? this cannot be true. does anyone have a statement from the Central Bank of Nigeria that confirms they are accepting bitcoin as a payment method?

Nigeria is the largest country in Africa were cryptocurrency is been adopted fully. But their was a time Nigerians agitated of government of Nigeria kicked against cryptocurrency adoption and legalisation of cryptocurrency in the country bearing Nigeria. I will stand to say that before bills can be pay in Nigeria with bitcoin or cryptocurrencies the people who in Nigeria can attest if the government of Nigeria is welcoming Bitcoin as means of exchange or they use their E naira

I wonder what is actually the regulation of cryptocurrency especially Bitcoin in Nigeria?
But whatever the regulation, I think that it seems Bitcoin helps much their citizen during the crisis. Bitcoin is something that relates to technology and I am really happy that they are aware of this. Many people in the world still cannot accept Bitcoin because Bitcoin is considered not real. But, in this situation, Bitcoin really can help them to survive to bestill alive, SO, this seems like Bitcoin is really a way to help recovering the poverty?

Though you may not understand it :-\
after it is done then there will be lifting and openness on how could deal with digital currencies because we believe our incoming president is a digitalize leader who knows about Technologies and the need for bitcoin. Restriction from associating our local bank account would be lifted and there will be free and fair business transaction using bitcoin. our incoming leader knows about the heart of young men and women, he knows about the global trendings and he is a young man as well. Which is why i made mention of revolution because things gonna change for Good.

We are about to elect a new leader in 2023 who we believe is youth oriented and innovative, a president that will have adequate knowledge about technology and digital economy. There has been a lot of economic mismanagement in the past and our political leaders are corrupt and disoriented in mentality not knowing what government entails and how to effectively manage an economy.

Just as Kenya decided right on whom to lead them and everything went on successfully, so is expected in 2023 presidential election in Nigeria, maybe if there's a change in power, the nee elect president could give more priority on bitcoin adoption than before, with a new government, new system and approach on bitcoin, things could evidently change for good in the country than it has always been ever existed.

In Nigeria to adopt bitcoin was a matter of survival for average citizens, doesn't matter what the government thinks about it. No one can have a peaceful and confortable life dealing with a devalued fiat currency which is constantly getting worse each new day much faster than in another countries. Thankfully bitcoin has become the perfect solution for this issue and side by side with the cryptocurrency, services to allow people paying their bills are also very welcome and necessary. I don't know if nigerians have crypto debit cards already disponible for them as well. If so, go for it as well. It's going to be a life changing for your finances!

Nigeria is too open to crypto adaption that's why they have a bigger hope of financial freedom in the future. In our country, we're also able to pay bills using crypto via local online shops that offer such services. We're also able to pay for our internet services using Bitcoin but most people here prefer fiat and we can't blame them since people still lack knowledge about crypto here. I hope that more countries would be like Nigeria which wants a better change and would try crypto adaption so more people would see the benefit and convenience of having crypto as a currency and as a mode of payment.

I don't know what's the current situation about bitcoin ban in Nigeria. I've seen some news about it few months ago and now they are accepting bitcoin as a payment for utility bills? I'm just thinking if people in Nigeria paying in bitcoin directly or it is processed through a third party company before it arrives to the Utility providers.  I don't know what kind of approach does the Nigerian government want to have with cryptocurrencies. I'm sure that banks are scared because of how Nigerian people become attracted with cryptocurrency and they are just covering it up by "it can destroy our financial system" which anti-bitcoin countries are likely to say. I hope a legit Nigerian could explain their current situation now about cryptocurrency.

Maybe we still can't say certainly whether it was allowed by the Nigerian government or not. But Nigeria is witnessing a cryptocurrency revolution of sorts. The people of that country are willing enough to use Bitcoin or Cryptocurrency despite the various discordance. I think cryptocurrency will be legalized in that country much sooner form the others.

Maybe but this all depends on the stance of their government towards crypto. Fingers crossed.
Having said that, I hope you understand that there are two types of crypto legalization ^{(which is legalization as a payment method and legal tender)} , and among all the countries that have legalized cryptocurrency El Salvador is the only country that legalized BTC as legal tender.

look at the condition of the nigerian currency which is not fine. So for Nigerians, they definitely want to find a solution to secure the value of their assets. because if they keep their assets in Nigerian currency then the value is feared to continue to decrease. but if they buy bitcoin then they have hope their assets will increase. although there is a downside risk. but they can profit from price fluctuations by buying below and selling above. and the unemployment rate there is also quite high. so crypto trading can be a solution for them.

You don't have to be surprised at this development, if revenue generating agency of the government like PHCN wants to collect the revenue effectively, there will have to go for more payment option and since Bitcoin happens to be the dominant digital currency, collection of payment will be made easy through this collaborations.
On the Bitcoin village you mentioned, I have not hard about such project going on in Nigeria so I will like to read more about this, can you please share a link I can use to get more information on the Bitcoin village you mentioned.