Calls for innovation, efficiency, and technology-driven transformation dominated discussions at the 14th Annual Conference and Presidential Investiture of the Institute of Capital Market Registrars, where Mrs. Catherine Nwosu was inaugurated as the President and Chairman of the Council of the Institute.
Nwosu took her oath of office on Saturday, making her the fourth president of the Institute, which champions the activities of registrars in the capital market.
The PUNCH reports that Nwosu was elected President of the ICMR at the Annual General Meeting of the Institute, which took place in Lagos in September. During the election, members voted for Nwosu as their next President, Dr. Kamal Okunola as the First Vice President, and Mr. Ugochukwu Okonkwo as the Second Vice President.
Four others, including Mr. Ezekiel Oni, Mrs. Oby Chiki-Ijegbulem, Mr. Henry Rowlands, and Dr. Joseph Mekiliuwa, were elected as Council Members.
Speaking at the annual conference, the immediate past President and Chairman of the Council, Mr. Oluseyi Owoturo, urged registrars to embrace technology and forward-thinking strategies to strengthen trust and deepen participation in Nigeria’s capital market.
Owoturo, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Coronation Registrars Limited, said: “The forum was designed to explore how registrars can transform their operations through technology and forward-thinking strategies to meet the demands of the future.”
He added that the conference theme, ‘Unlocking Global Value: The Evolving Role of Capital Market Registrars in Trust, Efficiency and Innovation’, reflected “the need for registrars to evolve from traditional record-keepers to strategic partners shaping the future of the capital market.”
“The role of registrars now extends to fostering transparency, enhancing investor engagement, and supporting the growth of a resilient and sustainable market.”
In a goodwill message, the Group Chairman of NGX Group, Dr. Umaru Kwairanga, praised the Institute’s contribution to the market, describing registrars as “the quiet custodians of confidence and credibility. The Institute continues to play a vital role in enhancing transparency, accountability, and trust across Nigeria’s capital market.”
Speaking further, he noted that by “maintaining accurate shareholder records, facilitating dividend payments, managing investor data, and processing share transfers,” registrars ensure “every corporate action, from dividend disbursement to annual meetings, is executed transparently and efficiently.”
“The function of the Institute extends beyond administration,” he added. “In truth, registrars are central to the liquidity, transparency, and global competitiveness of the Nigerian capital market.”
Dr. Kwairanga called on the profession to “reimagine the registrar function, not as a back-office service but as a strategic driver of capital formation and investor engagement,” adding that “the efficiency of the registrar community is inseparable from the efficiency of the capital market itself.”
Group Vice President of Dangote Industries Limited, Mr. Olakunle Alake, who delivered a keynote address, outlined three imperatives for the registrar profession.
“Digitisation and cybersecurity: embrace digital platforms, but with robust safeguards to protect data integrity. Capacity building and training: continuous education must be non-negotiable. The world is changing too fast for outdated skills. Global benchmarking: aim not just to meet local standards, but to benchmark against global best practices,” he said.
He stressed that “capital markets are built on confidence. Confidence is built on trust, efficiency, and innovation. And these are precisely the pillars upon which the registrar profession stands.” He urged registrars to see themselves “not only as record-keepers, but as architects of Nigeria’s future capital market.”
Executive Vice Chair of Emerging Africa Group, Dr. Oluwatoyin Sanni, in her speech, also reiterated the call for embracing technology and collaboration.
“Registrars must lead digital transformation through automation, blockchain, and data-driven solutions to stay competitive,” she said.
Dr. Sanni urged the profession to “invest in talent, technology, and trust; build skilled teams, strengthen cybersecurity, and adopt advanced platforms to enhance transparency and reliability.” She further called on registrars to “foster strategic collaboration, partner with custodians, CSDs, and regulators, to streamline cross-border transactions and harmonise standards.”
“The future registrar,” she concluded, “is a trusted, tech-enabled, and globally connected professional. Strategic differentiation begins with expertise and continuous innovation. Together, we can unlock the next frontier of value in Africa’s capital markets.”
