Abuja, Nigeria: The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has urged citizens to capitalise on opportunities in the capital market to achieve personal and national financial independence.
The Director-General of the SEC, Dr Emomotimi Agama, in an Independence Day message in Abuja on Wednesday, described the capital market as a critical engine of economic empowerment.
He stated that true independence extended beyond political sovereignty to encompass financial security for all citizens.
The director-general stated that financial independence was crucial to dignity and prosperity, noting that the capital market offered a platform for citizens to convert their savings into investments.
Agama said that under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, the capital market had been repositioned as a “public square of prosperity for all” rather than an exclusive preserve for a privileged few.
He listed ongoing reforms that include the dematerialisation of shares, increased participation by retail investors, the introduction of new asset classes, and the promotion of FinTech collaborations.
Others, he said, were a reduction in time-to-market for securities as part of efforts to deepen financial inclusion and democratise wealth creation.
Other initiatives, he said, included international best practices in fund valuation, strengthening corporate governance, promoting financial literacy, and a sustained campaign against Ponzi schemes that continue to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.
“These are not just regulatory updates; they are the building blocks of a financial democracy.
” 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.
“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.
Agama further called on citizens to prioritise financial literacy, adopt consistent investment strategies, and adopt a long-term perspective to build sustainable wealth and support the country’s economic transformation.
He described investment as a patriotic duty, stressing that widespread participation in the capital market would not only enhance personal financial security but also accelerate national development.
“As we celebrate 65 years of nationhood, let us embrace this powerful tool for wealth creation.
