SEC DG: Sustainable finance reshaping global investments

Barbara Bako, Abuja.

The Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Emomotimi Agama, has said that the global shift toward sustainable finance is reshaping investment decisions, corporate governance, and risk management, stressing that Nigeria’s capital market must adapt to remain competitive and relevant.

Dr. Agama stated this while delivering a keynote address at the 2025 Annual Conference of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) held in Abuja.

He described sustainability as a global imperative that transcends technology and ethics, noting that environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles are now at the core of responsible investment and capital allocation worldwide.

“In line with this, the Commission has taken bold steps to align our market with global sustainability standards. Through initiatives such as the adoption of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) framework, the Green Bond Programme, and our collaboration with development partners, we are laying the groundwork for a financial system that supports the transition of our country to a low-carbon, inclusive economy,” he said.

The SEC boss emphasized the critical role of stockbrokers and other market operators in promoting sustainable investment products, advising issuers on ESG disclosures, and guiding investors toward responsible assets.

According to him, both the SEC and CIS share a common vision of building a capital market that mobilizes savings for productive investment, creates jobs, and drives economic diversification.

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He noted that the SEC’s partnership with the Institute in areas such as professional certification, investor education, financial literacy, and policy advocacy continues to yield positive results.

“The task ahead is to ensure that the capital market becomes central to Nigeria’s economic transformation agenda — a market that finances infrastructure, empowers MSMEs, supports green and digital enterprises, and contributes meaningfully to the realization of a trillion-dollar economy,” Dr. Agama added.

Agama commended the resilience and professionalism of market operators despite challenging conditions, saying their commitment reflects the enduring strength of the Nigerian capital market and its potential to transform the nation’s economic landscape.

“With the world changing fast, the Nigerian capital market must not only keep pace but lead by example. Let us therefore recommit to innovation that empowers, ethics that endure, and sustainability that delivers long-term prosperity for all,” he said.