AfriPulse
June 6 (THEWILL) — Nigeria’s capital market is witnessing a new wave of growth driven largely by young investors using fintech platforms to access investment opportunities, according to the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr Emomotimi Agama.
Speaking on Moneyline with Nancy, Agama said the growing adoption of digital investment applications is reshaping retail participation and broadening access to the capital market.
According to him, the SEC is currently conducting a nationwide survey on investor behaviour and plans to release updated data on retail investor participation by the end of 2026.
“One of the things we will do at the year-end, 2026, is to provide new data. That survey is happening now, so it will be premature to give you information. But beyond all of that is the fact that there is a new wave and a new interest in the Nigerian capital market, and that we must sustain”, Agama said.
He attributed the market’s recent expansion to regulatory reforms, stronger investor confidence, and increased participation through technology-enabled investment channels.
The SEC DG noted that the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) All-Share Index has crossed the 250,000-point mark for the first time, while total market capitalisation has surged to about ₦161 trillion from ₦55 trillion when the current SEC leadership assumed office. He added that the market capitalisation-to-GDP ratio has also improved from 13 percent to over 33 percent.
Agama said more than 30 fintech investment apps are currently active in Nigeria, helping to attract younger investors and increase daily trading activity.
He also highlighted the successful implementation of the T+1 settlement cycle, which allows investors to receive proceeds from securities transactions within one business day after execution.
The transition, completed by the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) in collaboration with market stakeholders, aligns Nigeria’s capital market with global best practices and is expected to improve liquidity, efficiency, and investor confidence.
Despite the progress, Agama noted that significant growth opportunities remain, given Nigeria’s population of over 220 million people and the relatively low level of retail investor participation.
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