SEC Nigeria Targets 20 Million New Investors by 2026

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Nigeria, led by Emomotimi Agama, has set a target to attract 20 million new investors to the capital market by 2026. In an interview, Sundai Uwaleke emphasized the necessity of collaboration with fintech firms and other market stakeholders to achieve this goal.

He described the target as realistic but requiring a coordinated ecosystem approach involving regulators, exchanges, banks, and technology platforms to facilitate broader retail participation. Uwaleke highlighted the importance of lowering entry barriers and providing real-time market data access to retail investors.

He also stressed the need for sustained financial literacy programs and institutionalized investor education campaigns, rather than ad hoc initiatives. The SEC has already inaugurated a curriculum review committee to promote capital market studies in Nigerian universities, aiming to embed capital market literacy within tertiary education.

This initiative is particularly crucial given Nigeria's large youth population and increasing digital adoption, which are expected to boost market liquidity.