Manny Ita –
The Director-General of Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission, Emomotimi Agama, has announced that artificial intelligence, real-time data analytics and technology-driven regulation will become central to the future of investing in Nigeria’s capital market.
Speaking at the FSDH Investor Conference 2026 in Lagos, Agama said the era of “intelligent investing” has already arrived, stressing that access to quality data and financial intelligence will increasingly matter more than the amount of capital investors hold.
According to the SEC boss, the Commission is pursuing major reforms including T+1 settlement cycles, digital asset regulation and frameworks for tokenised securities as part of a broader seven-pillar market infrastructure strategy aimed at modernising Nigeria’s financial markets.
Agama disclosed that the SEC is also developing AI governance standards for market operators, focusing on transparency, accountability and algorithmic fairness to ensure investors understand how automated decisions affecting their investments are made.
The Commission’s fintech-bank integration strategy is targeting about 20 million retail investors nationwide, with reforms designed to expand access to investment opportunities for small businesses, artisans and low-income Nigerians traditionally excluded from formal financial markets.
The SEC further stated that investor confidence remains a top priority, with plans to strengthen enforcement, expand financial literacy programmes and enhance market surveillance through a dedicated Investor Protection Department.
Officials say the reforms are intended to position Nigeria as a leading technology-driven capital market in Africa, while attracting long-term investments into infrastructure, gender finance and other key sectors of the economy.
