NFTs in Nigeria
Buying, selling, and creating non fungible tokens is legal in Nigeria as of 2026. There is no NFT specific law, but an NFT that is marketed as an investment promising returns can be treated as a security under the Investments and Securities Act 2025, which is administered by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A purely artistic or collectible NFT is generally treated as digital property, and disposals fall within the 2025 tax reforms.
The rules in detail
Nigeria does not prohibit non fungible tokens, and as of 2026 there is no dedicated NFT statute. How an NFT is treated depends on what it is. The Investments and Securities Act 2025, signed in March 2025, classifies digital assets as securities and places virtual asset service providers under the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The act focuses on offerings and financial instruments, so the dividing line is whether an NFT is a collectible or a financial product.
An NFT that represents art, music, a collectible, or membership is generally treated as digital property rather than a security, and creating or selling such items is not separately licensed as of 2026. An NFT that is structured or marketed as an investment, that promises returns, or that functions like a financial instrument can fall within the SEC framework as a securities offering, in which case the issuer may need to register and meet anti money laundering and Know Your Customer obligations. Because the treatment turns on how a particular NFT is structured and promoted, confirm the position for a specific project with the SEC or a qualified Nigerian lawyer, and treat genuinely unclear cases as unclear.
Intellectual property is a separate point that often surprises buyers. Owning an NFT does not by itself transfer the copyright in the underlying work. The rights a buyer receives depend on the terms of sale and on Nigerian intellectual property law, so an NFT can confer ownership of the token without granting reproduction or commercial rights in the artwork. Check what a sale actually grants.
Tax
This is general information and not tax advice. NFTs are digital assets, so selling one can be a taxable event under the 2025 tax reforms, with reporting expected from 2026 and collection by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), which is being restructured as the Nigeria Revenue Service. How NFT income is characterised, for a creator earning on a primary sale or royalties versus a buyer selling at a gain, is being clarified, so keep records of the naira value at acquisition and sale and verify your position with the FIRS or a qualified tax adviser. See the Nigeria tax page.
Availability and how to act
Most NFT activity happens on dedicated marketplaces rather than on the local exchanges, but you will usually need crypto to transact, which means acquiring tokens through a platform that is genuinely available to Nigerian residents, such as Busha, Quidax, or Luno. Compare the exchanges available in Nigeria below, and use a wallet you control for your NFTs.
Compare available exchanges in Nigeria
See the platforms that are genuinely available to residents, with their registrations and how to sign up compliantly.
Compare available exchangesRegulator and sources
- Securities and Exchange Commission Nigeria (SEC), sec.gov.ng, the Rules on Digital Assets
- Investments and Securities Act 2025, signed in March 2025, classifying digital assets as securities
- Nigerian intellectual property law on copyright and digital works
- Nigeria Tax Act 2025 and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), firs.gov.ng
Frequently asked questions
Are NFTs legal in Nigeria?
Yes. Buying, selling, and creating NFTs is legal in Nigeria as of 2026. There is no NFT specific law, but an NFT marketed as an investment promising returns can be treated as a security under the Investments and Securities Act 2025 and overseen by the SEC. This is general information, not advice.
Do I need a licence to sell NFTs in Nigeria?
Selling individual art or collectible NFTs does not have a dedicated licence requirement as of 2026. Offering NFTs as investment products to the public can engage the SEC framework, in which case registration may be required. Confirm your specific activity.
When is an NFT a security in Nigeria?
An NFT can be treated as a security where it is structured or marketed as an investment that promises returns or functions like a financial instrument, under the Investments and Securities Act 2025. A purely artistic or collectible NFT is generally treated as digital property rather than a security.
How are NFTs taxed in Nigeria?
NFTs are digital assets, so selling one can be a taxable event under the 2025 tax reforms, with reporting from 2026 collected by the FIRS. The treatment is being clarified, so keep records of the naira value at acquisition and sale and verify with a tax adviser.
Who owns the copyright in an NFT in Nigeria?
Owning an NFT does not automatically transfer the copyright in the underlying work. Copyright and intellectual property rights depend on the terms of sale and Nigerian intellectual property law. Check what rights a sale actually grants.
The Compliance Ledger
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