The DG, SEC, Dr. Emomotimi Agama
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to strengthening professionalism, ethics, and integrity across Nigeria’s capital market, warning that the Commission will not tolerate unethical behaviour or practices capable of eroding investor confidence.
Delivering a keynote address at the 29th Annual Conference of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) held in Abuja, the Director-General of the SEC, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, urged capital market operators, particularly stockbrokers, to uphold the highest standards of honesty, competence, and accountability in all their dealings.
According to Agama, the success of any capital market depends largely on trust — a trust built on transparency, ethical discipline, and professional excellence. He emphasized that stockbrokers, as critical intermediaries between investors and the market, must consistently demonstrate integrity and sound judgment in managing clients’ wealth.
“Professionalism and ethical conduct are non-negotiable. Investors must have full confidence that those who manage their investments are guided by the highest standards of honesty and competence,” Dr. Agama said.
He noted that the conference theme, “Capital Markets in a Digital, Ethical, Sustainable Era: Pathways for Economic Transformation,” could not have come at a better time, as it mirrors the global shift towards a more digitalized, ethical, and sustainable financial ecosystem.
Digital Innovation and the Future of Capital Markets
Dr. Agama highlighted that the global capital market is undergoing rapid transformation driven by technology, innovation, and digitalization. From online trading platforms and digital assets to blockchain technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and data analytics, he said, the evolution is redefining how capital is raised, traded, and regulated.
He disclosed that the SEC has embraced this technological revolution as a key driver of efficiency, transparency, and investor protection. Through initiatives such as market surveillance automation, risk-based supervision frameworks, and regulatory technology integration, the Commission is positioning the Nigerian capital market to compete effectively in a dynamic global economy.
“Across the world, capital markets are being reshaped by technological innovation. The digital era has introduced new possibilities that are changing how we raise capital, how we invest, and how we supervise. The SEC has taken this transformation as an opportunity to enhance efficiency and safeguard investors,” he added.
Ethics and Sustainability: The Core of Market Stability
While acknowledging the transformative potential of digital finance, the SEC DG warned that technology cannot replace ethics, insisting that the integrity of market participants remains the foundation upon which sustainable growth can be built.
“No amount of innovation can replace the foundational importance of ethics. A truly transformative capital market must be built on integrity, transparency, and accountability,” he emphasized.
Agama praised the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) for its enduring partnership with the SEC in promoting continuous professional education, ethics training, and disciplinary oversight in the industry. He urged both institutions to deepen collaboration in enforcing ethical standards, particularly as the digital economy introduces new risks and regulatory complexities.
“As technology evolves, so must our skills, our ethics, and our shared commitment to fairness and professionalism,” he said.
SEC’s Commitment to a Transparent and Inclusive Market
The SEC boss reiterated that the Commission’s ongoing reforms are geared towards building a market ecosystem that is fair, inclusive, and globally competitive. According to him, SEC’s collaboration with professional bodies, market operators, and investors will help deepen financial literacy, enhance transparency, and strengthen market resilience.
He concluded by reaffirming the SEC’s commitment to creating a capital market that supports sustainable economic transformation, adding that the combination of digital innovation, ethical leadership, and professional integrity will define the future of Nigeria’s financial system.
The 29th CIS Annual Conference attracted a diverse array of industry experts, policymakers, investors, and market operators who discussed strategies for driving economic growth through ethical investment practices and technological innovation in the capital market.
SEC DG Dr. Emomotimi Agama has declared that professionalism and ethics remain non-negotiable for stockbrokers, urging them to uphold integrity and transparency as Nigeria’s capital market embraces digital transformation and sustainability.
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