CIS Conference Bridges Capital Markets and Academia in Ekiti

Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji and Afe Babalola University founder Afe Babalola praised the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) for hosting its inaugural academic conference, which focused on bridging the divide between capital markets and academia. The conference, themed "Capital Market: Sustaining Financial Economic Transformation in Africa," took place at Afe Babalola University in Ado Ekiti.

It aimed to strengthen Africa's financial ecosystem and promote sustainable financial mobilization for long-term investments. Oyebanji highlighted Ekiti State's infrastructure financing model, including a ₦32.5 billion, 20-year infrastructure bond issued in April 2025 to fund a 17.84-kilometer dual carriageway toll road project.

He also mentioned the state's public-private partnership model in the energy sector, specifically the Ekiti Independent Power Project. Emomotimi Agama, Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, urged African academia to deepen research collaboration, while Fiona Ahimi, the 14th President of the CIS, described the conference as a landmark initiative for advancing sustainable financial innovation across Africa.