The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has reiterated that financial literacy is far more than an academic discipline — it is a critical life skill and a survival tool for navigating today’s rapidly changing global economy.
This assertion was made by the Director-General of the SEC, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, during the formal handover of the reviewed National Universities Commission (NUC) Curriculum on Securities and Investment Management (SIM) in Abuja on Tuesday. The event marked a landmark collaboration between the SEC, academia, and the NUC, aimed at embedding financial education into Nigeria’s national learning framework.
Dr. Agama said the initiative reflects Nigeria’s collective resolve to build a sustainable foundation for financial empowerment and national development.
“Our gathering today goes beyond policy harmonization or curriculum design. It is about shaping the financial mindset of future generations, equipping young Nigerians with the tools to make informed choices and contribute meaningfully to our nation’s progress,” he stated.
He emphasized that financial literacy determines how people earn, save, invest, and build wealth, influencing their engagement with the financial system and preventing exclusion in an increasingly digital economy.
According to him, the SEC is deeply committed to integrating financial education at all levels of learning — from primary to tertiary — ensuring that financial inclusion becomes a cornerstone of national development.
“Financial discipline and awareness are best nurtured early, when curiosity is highest and habits are still forming. Early intervention is key to producing responsible, confident, and financially empowered citizens,” he noted.
Dr. Agama revealed that pilot programs conducted in Nasarawa and Ibadan have already produced promising outcomes, demonstrating adaptability and enthusiasm among teachers and students.
“These successes affirm that when given the right tools and guidance, Nigerian youth can quickly grasp and apply concepts such as saving, investing, budgeting, and responsible financial decision-making,” he said.
Beyond knowledge dissemination, he added, the SEC’s goal is empowerment — building confidence among young people to actively and responsibly participate in financial and capital markets.
“As the apex regulator, our dual mandate to protect investors and deepen the market cannot be achieved in isolation from an informed, financially literate populace,” Dr. Agama asserted.
He described the new curriculum as an investment in human capital, which he called “the most critical driver of sustainable, inclusive, and resilient economic growth.” He commended the NUC for harmonizing academic standards and aligning education outcomes with real-world economic dynamics.
“This partnership strengthens the bridge between education and enterprise — between classroom theory and the financial realities of everyday life,” he added.
The SEC envisions a future where every Nigerian student, regardless of region or background, understands the value of money, the principles of investment, and the discipline of financial planning.
“As our nation works toward a trillion-dollar economy anchored on innovation and inclusive growth, financial literacy will remain one of the strongest pillars supporting that ambition,” Agama said.
He pledged that the SEC will sustain this momentum through ongoing teacher training, resource support, and collaboration with the Ministry of Education and other key stakeholders to scale up the pilot programs nationwide.
“Together, we can institutionalize a financial literacy framework that not only empowers the youth but also strengthens the moral and economic fabric of our society,” he affirmed.
In his remarks, Professor Uche Uwaleke, Chairman of the SEC-appointed Committee of Experts, explained that the reviewed curriculum was designed to align Nigerian universities with global standards and equip students with the competencies needed to thrive in the modern capital market environment.
He revealed that the Committee’s second major task was the design of a Basic Course in Capital Market Studies, which will be mandatory for all first-year students across Nigerian universities.
“This initiative aims to promote early exposure, deepen financial inclusion, and foster a culture of investment awareness among young Nigerians,” Prof. Uwaleke said.
He added that the Committee held eight meetings — seven virtual and one physical — to conduct research, consultations, and collaborative review sessions, ensuring a robust and forward-looking curriculum.
The Committee also recommended that the course be extended to polytechnics and colleges of education, enabling financial literacy to permeate all tiers of tertiary learning.
“As we present this report today, we do so with optimism that its implementation will build a financially literate generation and strengthen the foundation for a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive Nigerian capital market,” Prof. Uwaleke concluded.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has unveiled a reviewed National Universities Commission (NUC) curriculum on Securities and Investment Management, describing financial literacy as a vital life skill for building a financially empowered and inclusive Nigeria.
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