Capital Market for All: SEC DG Rallies Stakeholders to Bridge Investment Access Gaps
In a bold call to action, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, the Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), has urged stakeholders across the Nigerian financial landscape to collaborate in bringing millions of excluded Nigerians into the capital market.
Speaking at the second edition of United Capital Asset Management’s Investment Forum in Lagos, Agama described the unbanked and investment-excluded population as “untapped economic energy” and emphasized that financial inclusion must now be seen as a national economic priority.
Beyond Banking: Inclusion Through Investment
Themed “Advancing Financial Inclusion through Investments: Bridging Nigeria’s Knowledge and Wealth Gap”, the forum attracted top voices from regulatory bodies, asset management firms, digital media, financial education, and public policy.
Agama made it clear that Nigeria cannot grow equitably without lowering the barriers to entry for millions of people, especially those in the informal sector, to access the capital market.
“We must remove the fear, remove the opacity. In the informal sector, millions of Nigerians must be brought into the investment mainstream. That is how we grow our economy inclusively,” he said.
Policy Reform in Focus: Investments and Securities Act 2025
The newly enacted Investments and Securities Act (ISA) 2025 was spotlighted as a key tool to strengthen investor protection, boost market transparency, and open the capital market to a wider group of Nigerians.
Agama stressed that empowering citizens with knowledge, confidence, and simplified access to investment channels is essential to driving true inclusion. This includes engaging underserved populations through tools they trust—digital platforms, social influencers, and grassroots partnerships.
United Capital’s Vision: Democratising Wealth Creation
Peter Ashade, the Group CEO of United Capital Plc, echoed Agama’s sentiments, reiterating that financial inclusion must go beyond bank accounts. Instead, it should equip Nigerians with the ability to build wealth and secure their financial futures through investment.
“Our mission is to democratise wealth-building tools and create a platform for broad-based economic participation,” Ashade said.
“Capital market participation in Nigeria is still low, and that’s a missed opportunity to unlock economic potential in households and communities.”
He also acknowledged the growing influence of credible digital voices in reshaping investor education, urging industry players to embrace such channels in driving public engagement.
Why This Matters Now
With rising economic pressure, uncertain job markets, and evolving financial technologies, the push to include informal workers, youth, and rural dwellers in the investment ecosystem is no longer optional—it’s urgent.
This collaborative tone from Nigeria’s capital market regulators and private sector leaders signals a new chapter focused on inclusive growth, long-term savings culture, and broader financial empowerment for Nigerians.
Key Takeaway:
The future of Nigeria’s economic resilience hinges on inclusive capital market participation—and this will only happen through strategic collaboration, accessible platforms, and a cultural shift from consumption to investment.
In a bold call to action, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, the Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), has urged stakeholders across the Nigerian financial landscape to collaborate in bringing millions of excluded Nigerians into the capital market.
Speaking at the second edition of United Capital Asset Management’s Investment Forum in Lagos, Agama described the unbanked and investment-excluded population as “untapped economic energy” and emphasized that financial inclusion must now be seen as a national economic priority.
Beyond Banking: Inclusion Through Investment
Themed “Advancing Financial Inclusion through Investments: Bridging Nigeria’s Knowledge and Wealth Gap”, the forum attracted top voices from regulatory bodies, asset management firms, digital media, financial education, and public policy.
Agama made it clear that Nigeria cannot grow equitably without lowering the barriers to entry for millions of people, especially those in the informal sector, to access the capital market.
“We must remove the fear, remove the opacity. In the informal sector, millions of Nigerians must be brought into the investment mainstream. That is how we grow our economy inclusively,” he said.
Policy Reform in Focus: Investments and Securities Act 2025
The newly enacted Investments and Securities Act (ISA) 2025 was spotlighted as a key tool to strengthen investor protection, boost market transparency, and open the capital market to a wider group of Nigerians.
Agama stressed that empowering citizens with knowledge, confidence, and simplified access to investment channels is essential to driving true inclusion. This includes engaging underserved populations through tools they trust—digital platforms, social influencers, and grassroots partnerships.
United Capital’s Vision: Democratising Wealth Creation
Peter Ashade, the Group CEO of United Capital Plc, echoed Agama’s sentiments, reiterating that financial inclusion must go beyond bank accounts. Instead, it should equip Nigerians with the ability to build wealth and secure their financial futures through investment.
“Our mission is to democratise wealth-building tools and create a platform for broad-based economic participation,” Ashade said.
“Capital market participation in Nigeria is still low, and that’s a missed opportunity to unlock economic potential in households and communities.”
He also acknowledged the growing influence of credible digital voices in reshaping investor education, urging industry players to embrace such channels in driving public engagement.
Why This Matters Now
With rising economic pressure, uncertain job markets, and evolving financial technologies, the push to include informal workers, youth, and rural dwellers in the investment ecosystem is no longer optional—it’s urgent.
This collaborative tone from Nigeria’s capital market regulators and private sector leaders signals a new chapter focused on inclusive growth, long-term savings culture, and broader financial empowerment for Nigerians.
Key Takeaway:
The future of Nigeria’s economic resilience hinges on inclusive capital market participation—and this will only happen through strategic collaboration, accessible platforms, and a cultural shift from consumption to investment.