Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, announced the appointment of Nicholas “Nicky” Okoye, a veteran investment adviser and entrepreneur, as a visiting senior lecturer in a strategic move aimed at strengthening digital asset education and capital markets training in Nigeria.
The appointment is expected to expand the university’s academic focus on emerging financial technologies, including cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and the tokenisation of real-world assets.
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The move comes as financial institutions, regulators and universities across Africa increasingly explore ways to prepare professionals for the changing global investment landscape.
UNIZIK, which houses one of Africa’s dedicated Capital Markets faculties, said Okoye’s industry experience would help bridge the gap between traditional financial systems and the rapidly growing digital asset economy.
A university official described the appointment as a significant step towards equipping students, business leaders and policymakers with practical knowledge needed for modern capital formation.
“Securing someone of Nicky Okoye’s calibre is a game-changer. As global finance evolves, we must equip enterprise executives, entrepreneurs, and policymakers with the technical knowledge required to build long-term capital formation strategies. His real-world experience is invaluable,” the official said.
Okoye brings decades of experience from both international and Nigerian financial markets.
His career includes serving as a financial consultant at Merrill Lynch in the United States, Chief Strategy Officer of the Nigerian Stock Exchange Group, and founding Group Executive Director of Operations and Strategy at Transcorp Group Plc, where he played roles in fundraising efforts exceeding $1 billion.
Through his current role as leader of the Global Investment Advisory Community (GIAC), Okoye has continued to promote collaboration among banks, asset managers and fintech companies working to develop digital asset ecosystems across Africa and the Caribbean.
He has also contributed to financial policy discussions, offering advisory support to institutions including the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Securities and Exchange Commission on capital market regulatory frameworks.
The UNIZIK digital asset education initiative reflects a broader shift in Nigeria’s financial sector, where regulators and private institutions are paying increasing attention to digital finance, blockchain technology and new investment models.
Nigeria has recently moved towards establishing clearer oversight structures for virtual assets, with the Federal Government creating a national Virtual Assets Council to coordinate regulation and industry development.
The council is expected to involve key institutions including the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Nigeria Revenue Service.
Okoye’s appointment is also expected to provide students with exposure to practical investment strategies, regulatory challenges and opportunities emerging from digital financial innovation.
Beyond his corporate career, Okoye has received recognition for his contributions to enterprise development. He holds a Doctorate in Business Administration (Honoris Causa) from Enugu State University of Technology, awarded in March 2015 for his contribution to business excellence and development.
He has also served on economic advisory platforms, including the Presidential Jobs Board and the National Council of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, while advising on initiatives aimed at strengthening local participation in Nigeria’s oil and gas value chain.
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As global financial markets continue to evolve, the appointment positions UNIZIK as one of the Nigerian universities seeking to play a stronger role in developing the next generation of digital finance professionals.
Mariam Balogun is a contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
