The Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Emomotimi Agama, has called on Nigeria to leverage its youthful population to drive financial inclusion through investment, warning that failure to do so by 2030 could exacerbate inequality across the country.
Dr. Agama made the remarks while delivering the keynote address at the United Capital Asset Management Investment Forum held in Lagos, themed “Advancing Financial Inclusion through Investments: Bridging Nigeria’s Knowledge and Wealth Gap.”
According to the SEC boss, financial inclusion should go beyond mere access to services and be reframed as “active financial involvement” — a framework in which access meets empowerment, and capital becomes a tool for economic transformation.
“Our theme is not aspirational; it is foundational to national survival,” he said. “We stand at a pivotal moment. By 2030, Nigeria can either harness its demographic dividend or face deepening inequality. The knowledge-wealth gap is not just an economic issue; it is a moral imperative.”
Dr. Agama noted that only a fraction of Nigeria’s population participates in the capital market, which he described as a missed opportunity in the fight against poverty.
“We have a great population, yet only a small percentage is involved in the capital market. That is one reason for persistent poverty — because we’re running from money. We must change this narrative and move the market forward.”
Highlighting the success of MTN Nigeria’s public share offering, Agama disclosed that it brought in 150,000 new investors, 75 percent of whom were women and 85 percent under the age of 40 — clear evidence, he said, of the market’s potential if properly mobilized.
Four-Pillar Strategy for Financial Inclusion
To close the knowledge-wealth gap, the SEC Director-General proposed a four-pillar strategy:
- Democratization of Financial Knowledge – Promoting widespread financial literacy across all demographics.
- Catalyzing MSME Investment Channels – Unlocking access to capital for micro, small, and medium enterprises.
- Blended Finance Vehicles – Partnering with institutions like the Bank of Industry (BOI) to de-risk loans, especially for women-led SMEs.
- Inclusive Capital Market Participation – Making the market accessible to underserved groups.
Dr. Agama further stressed the importance of education and active engagement in achieving a truly inclusive financial ecosystem.
“As we drive this market, we do so with purpose. I urge everyone to be a disciple and an apostle of this movement. Transforming this market is a deliberate act — one built on fairness, equity, and opportunity for all.”
He reaffirmed SEC’s commitment to investor protection, market development, and regulatory integrity, saying the Commission will act in the public’s best interest — “no matter whose ox is gored”
Reporting by Sherifat Oyediran