Pay Utility Bills With Bitcoin In Nigeria

[Wiwo]

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.

[suzanne5223]

But I thought Nigerian government was explicity against the use of Bitcoin within the country?

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.

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.

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.

[Agbe]

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.

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.

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.

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.

[Vaskiy]

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.

[Slow death]

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?

[dataispower]

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

[bhooscream]

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?

[Adbitco]

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.

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.

[Wiwo]

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.

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.

[Doan9269]

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.

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.

[uneng]

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!

[virasisog]

Nigeria is definitely the first African country in terms of crypto adoption and what they are doing is not surprising at all, that's for sure an important step toward crypto adoption in the African countries and I wish other countries will at least remove the ban and limits for crypto users

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.

[abel1337]

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.

More reading and source: https://thecryptobasic.com/2022/08/10/nigerians-can-now-pay-their-utility-bills-with-bitcoin/

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.

[BobK71]

But I thought Nigerian government was explicity against the use of Bitcoin within the country?

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.

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.

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.

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.

[suzanne5223]

But I thought Nigerian government was explicity against the use of Bitcoin within the country?

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.
[snip]

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.

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.

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.

[Jatiluhung]

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.

[Wiwo]

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.

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.