Basic Info
- Location: Vatican City
- Role/Occupation: High-ranking Vatican official overseeing consolidated digital operations
- Met: Indirect connection through Chris Treadaway and Jill
- Contact: Through Jill and Chris Treadaway
- Nationality: Nigerian (inferred)
Professional Background
Current Role (Appointed November 20, 2025)
- Newly appointed to oversee all Vatican digital operations under papal streamlining initiative
- Described as #4-5 person in Vatican hierarchy
- Responsibilities include:
- Vatican Bank digital operations
- Vatican communications
- All technology and digital initiatives
- Consolidated authority over previously fragmented digital efforts
Significance of Appointment
- Represents major shift in Vatican approach to technology
- Pope's signal for action-oriented leadership over deliberative tradition
- Per Jill (via Chris): "Direct line to the Pope now for anything we want to go do"
Connection Context
- Primary Connection: Through Chris Treadaway and Jill
- Opportunity: Vatican blockchain/crypto strategy development
- Chris was scheduled for lunch meeting that didn't happen during EAIS conference
- Appointment came 4 days before Chris's November 24 call with Gary
Strategic Value & Collaboration Areas
- Vatican Digital Transformation: Gateway to influencing Catholic Church's global tech strategy
- Blockchain/Crypto Initiative: No current Vatican strategy; opportunity to define approach
- Direct Papal Access: Unprecedented access to highest Vatican decision-making
- Action-Oriented Leadership: Alignment with entrepreneurial, results-driven approach
Key Projects & Interests
Vatican Blockchain Strategy (November 2025)
- Chris Treadaway developing proposal with Jill
- Focus areas:
- Vatican perspective on Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies
- Potential Vatican stable coin development
- Blockchain for media authenticity verification
- Counter to AI deepfake threats
- One-sheet strategy outline submitted November 24, 2025
Notes & Observations
- Cultural Shift: Appointment signals move from Italian deliberative culture to action-oriented approach
- Chris's Assessment: "The Pope's way of saying, like you Italians that like to sip coffee and think about it like you're out"
- Jill's Reaction: "Mind blown" by appointment, "He is not screwing around"
- Opportunity Window: Early-stage relationship with significant potential impact
Interaction History
2025-11-24: Indirect Introduction via Chris Treadaway
- Learned of Ekpo's appointment (4 days prior)
- Discussion of Vatican digital consolidation under his authority
- Chris and Jill initiating blockchain strategy proposal for his review
Potential Collaboration Areas
- Vatican blockchain and cryptocurrency strategy
- Catholic institutional technology standards
- Global Catholic education technology initiatives
- Authentication systems for Vatican communications
- Digital transformation of Vatican operations