Nigerian Tech Expert Urges FG To Block VPNs to Reinforce Binance P2P Ban

A Nigerian businessman and tech specialist, Mr. Charles Awuzie has called on the Nigeria Government to instruct Internet Service Providers to block VPN access to restricted websites and collaborate with VPN Trust Initiative for full implementation of the Binance P2P Blocking.

Mr. Charles made the call on his social media handles on Thursday following the blocking of Binance P2P by the federal government for allowing economic exploitation on its platform.

“I am very proud of the Nigerian government for swiftly blocking their website, But unfortunately, that block is ineffective right now. Crypto is borderless. VPN is king., But I will give out a free expert advice to those in government on this VPN access issue:”

“First, instruct Internet Service Providers to block VPN access to the restricted websites using Deep Packet Inspection – DPI techniques”.

“Secondly, reach out to the VPN Trust Initiative – a trade association of VPN providers across the world”.

He noted that most Nigerians use ExpressVPN, NordVPN or Surfshark etc, and these VPN providers are members of the VPN Trust Initiative.

“This is the organization that can help the Nigerian government in ensuring that nobody will use VPN to bypass the blocked exchanges until the exchanges commit to placing a limit to how much users can trade the Naira on their platform” He advised.

Recall that, PREMIUM TIMES REPORTED that, the Nigerian government has blocked the online platforms of Binance and other crypto firms to avert what it considers continuous manipulation of the forex market and illicit movement of funds.

Sources within the major telecommunication companies in the country told PREMIUM TIMES Wednesday evening that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) communicated the directive to telcos and they had started acting on it.

Apart from Binance, other platforms such as Forextime, OctaFX, Crypto, FXTM, Coinbase, Kraken, among others, were equally blocked.

According to the report, In September 2023, Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) placed a disclaimer on Binance Nigeria Limited, saying the platform was “neither registered nor regulated by the Commission and its operations in Nigeria are therefore illegal”.

Despite the warning by the regulatory agency, the firm continued its operation, attracting huge patronage especially among urban youths and suspected speculators and money launderers. Aside from suspicions of economic sabotage, officials also speak of national security concerns as the platforms are often patronised by other criminal groups including for payment of ransom.