The Securities and Exchange Commission has pledged to intensify efforts to eliminate Ponzi and pyramid schemes, thereby fostering an environment where genuine investment opportunities can thrive in 2025.
The Director-General of SEC, Dr Emomotimi Agama, stated in his New Year message to the capital market community on Sunday that protecting investors remains a cornerstone of the commission’s mission.
Agama also noted that the commission would prioritise key initiatives aimed at deepening market integrity, enhancing investor confidence, and driving economic growth.
According to him, the SEC is committed to its dual mandate of regulating and developing the capital market in Nigeria.
“Naturally, our top priority in 2025 will cut across this dual mandate. For us, mainstreaming the Nigerian capital market into the economy is very vital.
“Enforcement is the backbone of effective regulation. We are revamping our investigative processes to enhance efficiency and hold bad actors accountable more decisively.
“Insider trading undermines activities and dampens market fairness. By revising our regulatory framework, we aim to strengthen detection, prevention, and accountability mechanisms.
“Transparency is at the heart of investors’ confidence in capital markets.
We will introduce measures to ensure greater visibility and trust in securities transactions,” he said.
The director-general added that to resolve market disputes efficiently and fairly, the commission was focused on enhancing the operations of the Investments and Securities Tribunal.
He noted that these efforts aim to make the tribunal more effective in delivering timely resolutions, thereby improving overall efficiency in the process.
Agama stated that a key focus for the commission in 2025 is strengthening the legal framework of the commodities market to enable it to reach its full potential in aiding economic development.
He described the commodities market as a major area of interest for SEC, noting that Nigeria is primarily an agrarian nation.
The director-general emphasised that leveraging this comparative advantage to the next level is a priority for the commission.
Agama explained that the SEC would focus this year on reinforcing the legal and regulatory structures that support growth, creating a solid foundation for a vibrant commodities ecosystem, whether soft or hard commodities.
“Given the plethora of commodities across Nigeria, SEC, as a partner in development, will ensure we make a difference,” he said.
Agama added that these initiatives reflect the commission’s vision for a stronger and more inclusive capital market in 2025. He reiterated SEC’s commitment to building wealth, instilling confidence, and making tangible impacts.
“As we embark on this journey, I invite all stakeholders to work with us in achieving these goals.
“Together, we can unlock the potential of the Nigerian capital market and make this a defining year for our economy.
“Our aim is to steer the capital market in a direction that ensures development reaches the doorstep of every Nigerian,” Agama concluded.
(NAN)
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