The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has urged Nigerian youth to embrace the capital market as a pathway to building personal wealth and strengthening the nation’s economy. In his Independence Day message, the SEC’s Director-General, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, said true independence goes beyond political sovereignty and must extend to financial freedom for every citizen. He described the Nigerian capital market as “a critical engine of economic empowerment,” stressing that young people hold the key to unlocking its full potential.
Dr. Agama emphasized that under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the capital market is being repositioned to serve as “a public square of prosperity for all Nigerians” rather than an exclusive platform for a privileged few. Ongoing reforms, he explained, are focused on deepening participation and boosting investor confidence. These include the dematerialisation of shares to simplify access, increased retail investor participation, promotion of FinTech collaborations, reduction of time-to-market for securities, and adoption of international best practices in corporate governance.
The SEC boss noted that investing in the capital market is more than a financial decision—it is an act of patriotism. “Every Nigerian from the civil servant in Makurdi to the tech entrepreneur in Yaba, the farmer in Kano, and the fisherman in Yenagoa can now have a stake in the commanding heights of our economy,” Agama said. He added that buying shares makes citizens part-owners of Nigerian companies, while investing in bonds directly supports infrastructure projects that drive national development.
Financial literacy, according to Dr. Agama, is central to this vision. He urged Nigerians to cultivate long-term investment habits, avoid quick-profit schemes, and commit to building sustainable wealth through consistent engagement with the capital market. “The growth of our economy must mirror the growth of our citizens’ financial independence,” he said, calling on young Nigerians to see investing as a practical way of securing their future while contributing to national progress.
Meanwhile, the SEC also warned against rising threats of Artificial Intelligence-driven scams that target unsuspecting investors with fake celebrity endorsements and manipulated videos on social media. The commission revealed it has deployed advanced surveillance systems to detect fraudulent activity in real time and reassured Nigerians of its commitment to investor protection. By combining reforms with vigilance, SEC aims to democratize wealth creation and strengthen financial security across the country.
source: nairametrics