The Group Chief Operating Officer of FMDQ Group Plc, Tumi Sekoni, has asserted that achieving sustainable socio-economic development in Nigeria begins with deliberate corporate investments in financial literacy and the capacity building of the younger generation.
Sekoni made this declaration at the Group’s business complex, Exchange Place, during an educational financial literacy excursion organised for secondary school students to commemorate the 2026 International Day of the Boy Child and Children’s Day.
The initiative, hosted under the umbrella of the FMDQ Next Generation Financial Markets Empowerment Programme, brought together over 70 students and facilitators from Chrisland High School, Lekki, and Jeed Trinity College, Isolo, exposing them to the inner workings of the domestic capital market architecture.
“At FMDQ Group, we recognise that meaningful impact begins with investing in young minds,” Sekoni stated while addressing the participants.
“By creating opportunities for learning and exposure beyond the traditional classroom environment, we hope to inspire curiosity, build confidence, and equip the next generation with knowledge that will empower them to make informed financial decisions and contribute positively to society,” she added.
Sekoni further said that the financial infrastructure provider remains unwavering in its commitment to moulding a future anchored on education, structural inclusion, and equal wealth-creation opportunities for all demographics.
The excursion gave secondary school students direct insight into FMDQ Group’s operations as a leading financial market infrastructure provider in Africa. The sessions bridged the gap between classroom theory and real-world market operations, covering basic financial management habits such as structured savings, portfolio investment, and risk management.
The enterprise-driven educational model aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically targeting SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 1 (No Poverty) by addressing knowledge gaps that traditionally hinder long-term economic independence.
“Through FMDQ-Next, we remain committed to shaping a future driven by education, inclusion, and opportunity,” Sekoni noted, emphasising that early exposure to debt capital, foreign exchange, and derivatives markets prepares future workforce entrants for an evolving global economy.
As Africa’s first vertically integrated financial market infrastructure group, FMDQ Group operates across the entire transaction value chain, providing registration, listing, clearing, central counterparty risk management, and settlement services through its specialised subsidiaries.
The students concluded their facility tour at the FMDQ Green Exchange, Africa’s premier sustainability-focused platform dedicated to green bonds and transition finance. Market analysts note that introducing young learners to these green windows early prepares them for the growing international shift toward climate-conscious investments.
Since its inception in July 2018, the FMDQ-Next vehicle has directly impacted over 1,540 young Nigerians, utilising interactive tools like virtual simulation trading challenges and structural internships to deepen liquidity knowledge and financial inclusion across the federation.
