The Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Emomotimi Agama, has said the global shift towards sustainable finance is reshaping investment decisions, corporate governance, and risk management, stressing that Nigeria’s capital market must adapt to remain competitive.
Speaking at the 2025 Annual Conference of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) in Abuja, Dr. Agama described sustainability as a global imperative beyond ethics and technology, noting that environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors now drive responsible investment and capital allocation globally.
He said the SEC has taken bold steps to align the Nigerian market with international standards through the adoption of the ISSB framework, the Green Bond Programme, and partnerships with development institutions to support the transition to a low-carbon, inclusive economy.
Dr. Agama urged stockbrokers and market operators to promote sustainable investment products, guide issuers on ESG disclosures, and direct investors toward responsible assets.
He emphasized the SEC’s collaboration with the CIS in areas such as professional certification, investor education, financial literacy, and policy advocacy, saying both institutions share a vision of building a market that mobilizes capital for productive investment and economic diversification.
“The task ahead,” he noted, “is to ensure the capital market becomes central to Nigeria’s economic transformation — financing infrastructure, supporting MSMEs, and driving green and digital enterprises towards a trillion-dollar economy.”
Dr. Agama commended market operators for their professionalism despite economic challenges, calling for renewed commitment to innovation, ethics, and sustainability that deliver long-term prosperity for all.
