The Securities and Exchange Commission has vowed to intensify efforts to stamp out Ponzi and pyramid schemes in 2025, while also focusing on developing Nigeria’s commodities market.
According to a statement on Sunday, the Director-General of the SEC, Dr Emomotimi Agama, disclosed this in a New Year message to the capital market community over the weekend, emphasising that investor protection remains a cornerstone of the Commission’s mission.
The statement read, “The Securities and Exchange Commission has emphasised that protecting investors remains a cornerstone of its mission assuring that the commission will intensify efforts to stamp out Ponzi and pyramid schemes while paving the way for legitimate investment opportunities to thrive in 2025.”
Agama expressed optimism about the opportunities ahead, noting that the SEC’s 2025 agenda will prioritise market integrity, investor confidence, and economic growth.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s dual mandate of regulating and developing the Nigerian capital market, describing the year as critical for integrating the capital market into the broader economy.
“Enforcement is the backbone of effective regulation. We are revamping our investigative processes to enhance efficiency and hold bad actors accountable more decisively.
“Insider trading undermines activities and dampens market fairness. By revising our regulatory framework, we aim to strengthen detection, prevention, and accountability mechanisms.
“Transparency is at the heart of investor confidence and capital markets. We will introduce measures to ensure greater visibility and trust in securities transactions.,” he said in the statement.
The SEC boss highlighted enforcement as the backbone of effective regulation and outlined plans to revamp the Commission’s investigative processes to improve efficiency and decisively hold bad actors accountable.
He added that the SEC is revising its regulatory framework to tackle insider trading, enhance transparency, and build trust in securities transactions.
Agama also announced that the SEC is enhancing the operations of the Investments and Securities Tribunal to ensure timely and fair resolution of market disputes.
He noted that these reforms aim to boost investor confidence and improve overall market efficiency.
A significant focus for the SEC in 2025 is the development of Nigeria’s commodities market. Agama highlighted the importance of leveraging the country’s agrarian economy to unlock the market’s full potential.
He explained that the Commission will strengthen the legal and regulatory framework to create a vibrant commodities ecosystem, which includes both soft and hard commodities.
“The commodities market is indeed a major area of interest for us at the SEC. Nigeria is purely an agrarian nation and as such, taking that comparative advantage to the next level, is something that the SEC is proud to be a part of.
“It is a vital part of the Nigeria economy. This year, we will focus on reinforcing the legal and regulatory structures that support growth so we can create a solid foundation for the vibrant commodities ecosystem. Be it a soft commodity or a hard commodity.
“More so, when we have a plethora of commodities all over Nigeria. The SEC as a partner in development will make sure that we will make the difference,” he said.
Agama reiterated that the SEC aims to make a meaningful difference in the commodities sector by utilising Nigeria’s vast array of commodities to aid economic development.
He described the commodities market as a vital part of Nigeria’s economy and a key area of focus for the commission.
Looking ahead, Agama emphasised the SEC’s commitment to building a more inclusive capital market in 2025.
He called on stakeholders to collaborate with the Commission to achieve its vision of wealth creation, enhanced confidence, and economic development.
