SEC Pushes Data and AI-Driven “Intelligent Investing” to Transform Nigeria’s Capital Market
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) says Nigeria’s capital market is entering a new phase where data, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced technology will define how investments are made, managed, and protected. The move signals a major shift toward what regulators are calling “intelligent investing.”
Speaking at the FSDH Investor Conference 2026 in Lagos, SEC Director-General Dr. Emomotimi Agama said the future of investing will no longer depend on how much capital investors control, but on the quality of data and intelligence guiding their decisions. He noted that Nigeria is already aligning its reforms with this global transformation.
According to Agama, AI, real-time analytics, algorithmic systems, and distributed ledger technology are reshaping global financial markets. He explained that these tools are now actively influencing how assets are priced, allocated, and secured, marking a shift where data is no longer just supportive but central to investment decisions.
The SEC is already implementing reforms such as T+1 settlement cycles, digital asset regulation, and frameworks for tokenised securities as part of a broader seven-pillar capital market infrastructure plan. The commission is also developing AI governance rules that will ensure transparency, accountability, and fairness in algorithm-driven financial systems.
Beyond technology, the SEC is also pushing for greater financial inclusion by expanding access to retail investors, small businesses, and low-income earners. With a target of 20 million retail investors, the commission says its goal is to democratise wealth creation while strengthening investor protection through education, enforcement, and improved market surveillance.
Agama added that Nigeria’s capital market reforms are not just technical upgrades but a full structural transformation designed to attract global capital, improve confidence, and position the country as a leader in Africa’s digital finance ecosystem.
source: nairametrics