The Director-General (DG) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Emomotimi Agama, has outlined the commission’s strategic focus for 2025, with a strong emphasis on tackling investment fraud and enhancing the integration of the Nigerian capital market into the broader economy.
In his New Year message to the capital market over the weekend, Agama highlighted the SEC’s commitment to its dual mandate of regulating and developing the capital market. According to him, the SEC’s primary goal in 2025 is to revamp regulations on investment fraud, particularly Ponzi schemes, to improve detection and accountability.
“Enforcement is the backbone of effective regulation,” Agama said. “We are revamping our investigative processes to enhance efficiency and hold bad actors accountable more decisively. Insider trading undermines market activities and fairness. By revising our regulatory framework, we aim to strengthen detection, prevention, and accountability mechanisms.”
Agama emphasized that transparency remains crucial in building investor confidence. He assured that the SEC will introduce measures designed to increase the visibility of securities transactions, thereby fostering greater trust in the market.
The DG also spoke about the SEC’s growing interest in the commodities market, noting that Nigeria’s agrarian economy presents significant opportunities for growth. He stated, “Nigeria is purely an agrarian nation, and taking that comparative advantage to the next level is something that the SEC is proud to be a part of. This year, we will focus on reinforcing the legal and regulatory structures that support growth to create a solid foundation for the vibrant commodities ecosystem, whether it be soft or hard commodities.”
In closing, Agama reiterated that the SEC aims to guide the capital market toward inclusive development, ensuring that all Nigerians within the capital market community benefit from its growth and progress.
