The Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr Emomotimi Agama, says Nigeria can emerge as Africa’s leader in regulated fintech and digital finance following the Investment and Securities Act (ISA) 2025 recently passed and assented to by President Bola Tinubu.
Agama described the ISA 2025 as a game-changer that redefines Nigeria’s capital market framework,expands regulatory oversight, and embeds fintech into the formal economy.
He spoke at the Association of Enterprise Risk Management Professionals (AERMP’s) 2025 Mid-Year Conference and Induction Ceremony at James Hope University, Lekki, Lagos.
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This mid-year’s event focused on the theme: “The Investment and Securities Act 2025: Implications for Enterprise Risk Management and Compliance in the Financial Markets”.
In his remarks, Agama, represented by Uroro Obaji delivered a keynote on the theme, explaining the concept of the new Act, key regulatory shifts affecting financial markets, implications for Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), compliance expectations for market operators, challenges and opportunities.
The SEC boss said risk and compliance are now strategic functions, adding that they are no longer back-office tasks but core enablers of market trust, innovation and investor confidence.
“Collaboration will shape the future,
success will require partnership between regulators, market operators and risk professionals to maintain stability while encouraging innovation.
“The road ahead with clear rules, strong governance and proactive risk management, Nigeria can emerge as Africa’s leader in regulated fintech and digital finance.
“The future of our capital market will be built by those who see regulation not as a burden, but
as the foundation for trust, innovation and long-term prosperity,” he said.
The NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen Buba Marwa said that “Under the 2025 Act, risk management is no longer a support function; it is a strategic imperative.”
Marwa warned that boards and compliance officers must embed resilience and proactive governance in their institutions.
The EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede described the Act as “a bold calibration of the rules that govern our financial system,” urging operators to institutionalize compliance as a culture, not a checklist.
AERMP President, Mrs Taiwo Ige FCIB, FERP said the theme “The Investment and Securities Act 2025: Implications for Enterprise Risk Management and Compliance in the Financial Markets” was apt and strategic, pin pointing place of risk managers and compliance officers in the effective implementation of ISA 2025.
Prof. Abiola Ayopo Babajide – Ag. Vice Chancellor, James Hope University highlighted the institution’s academic-industry collaboration with AERMP.
She underscored the dual-teaching model that combines academic expertise with professional practice, while unveiling the benefits of the exchange program between AERMP and the University.
The event featured engaging discussions on enterprise risk management frameworks, compliance challenges, cybersecurity, financial market integrity, and regulatory collaboration.
New professionals were inducted into the association, affirming their commitment to the highest standards of enterprise risk management and compliance.