Market leaders, regulators, and government officials have called for unified action to strengthen Nigeria’s capital market and accelerate capital formation as a key driver of national economic growth.
Speaking at the 2025 Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers National Workshop held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, Temi Popoola, urged stakeholders to coordinate efforts to build a capital market capable of mobilising long-term funding and supporting Nigeria’s ambition to become a $1 tn economy.
Popoola attributed the recent revival of the market to deliberate reforms, improved macroeconomic conditions, and technological upgrades in market infrastructure. He, however, stressed that sustaining this momentum would require closer collaboration among market operators, regulators, and policymakers to strengthen industries, empower institutions, and deepen market structures.
“The capital market stands at a pivotal point in Nigeria’s economic journey,” Popoola said. “With deliberate reforms and a strong regulatory environment, we have an opportunity to position the market as a key enabler of long-term capital formation that supports industries, empowers institutions, and scales our economy to new heights.”
Popoola also highlighted NGX Invest, a platform designed to simplify market access for investors and issuers, which has facilitated over N2tn in primary market transactions. He said this reflected growing market confidence and demonstrated the results achievable when industry players and regulators work together.
The Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group, Umaru Kwairanga, emphasised the need to align capital market activity with Nigeria’s broader economic goals, citing the market’s role in financing infrastructure, supporting enterprises, and attracting investment.
The President and Chairman of the Council of CIS, Oluropo Dada, reiterated the Institute’s commitment to fostering professionalism and integrity in the capital market, underlining the importance of investor confidence and increased market participation.
Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Emomotimi Agama, described capital formation as central to the SEC’s mandate.
Additionally, the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Anite, called for urgent efforts to expand access to long-term capital, enhance investor confidence, reinforce institutional frameworks, and strengthen linkages between the capital market and the real economy.
Representing the Vice President, the Special Adviser to the President on Economic Affairs, Tope Fasua, called for sustained momentum through innovation, policy advocacy, and ethical conduct.
