Emomotimi Agama, director general of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), has urged Nigerians to take advantage of opportunities in the capital market to build personal and national financial independence.
Agama spoke in a goodwill message to commemorate the Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day anniversary, according to a statement on Wednesday.
In the goodwill message, titled ‘Forging a New Legacy of Financial Independence’, Agama described the capital market as a critical engine of economic empowerment.
He stressed that true independence goes beyond political sovereignty to include financial security for every Nigerian.
Advertisement
The SEC DG said under the administration of President Bola Tinubu and the guidance of Wale Edun, minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, the capital market has been repositioned as a “public square of prosperity for all” rather than an exclusive preserve for a privileged few.
He said ongoing reforms in the market include the dematerialisation of shares, increased retail investor participation, introduction of new asset classes, promotion of fintech collaborations, and reduction in time-to-market for securities as part of efforts to deepen financial inclusion and democratise wealth creation.
According to the SEC DG, other initiatives are international best practices in fund valuation, strengthening of corporate governance, promotion of financial literacy, and a sustained campaign against ponzi schemes that continue to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.
Advertisement
“These are not just regulatory updates; they are the building blocks of a financial democracy,” Agama said.
“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 financial independence is central to dignity and prosperity, pointing out that the capital market provides a platform for Nigerians to transform savings into investments that fuel enterprise growth and national infrastructure.
“When you buy a share, you become a part-owner of a Nigerian company. When you invest in a bond, you are helping to fund the infrastructure that will power our future. This is the new face of patriotism,” he said.
Advertisement
Agama urged citizens to prioritise financial literacy and adopt long-term investment habits, stressing that collective participation in the market would accelerate national development.
He described investment as “a patriotic duty”, stressing that widespread participation in the capital market will not only enhance personal financial security but also accelerate national development.
Agama noted that “the growth of our economy must mirror the growth of our citizens’ financial independence”.
Advertisement
