Risk management professionals have said that the future of Nigeria’s capital market depends on regulation, explaining that the market will be built by those who see regulation not as a burden, but as the foundation for trust, innovation and long-term prosperity.
The professionals, under the aegis of Association of Enterprise Risk Management Professionals (AERMP), added that collaboration will shape that future while success will require partnership between regulators, market operators and risk professionals to maintain stability and encourage innovation.
Emomotimi Agama, Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), noted that 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.
Agama spoke at Mid-Year Conference and Induction Ceremony 2025 hosted at James Hope University, Lekki, Lagos, by AERMP to X-ray 2025 Investment and Securities Act, where he delivered a keynote speech.
The SEC boss, who was represented at the event by Uroro Obaji, hoped that the road ahead with clear rules, strong governance and proactive risk management, will enable Nigeria to emerge as Africa’s leader in regulated fintech and digital finance.
The mid-year event had as its theme, ‘The Investment and Securities Act 2025: Implications for Enterprise Risk Management and Compliance in the Financial Markets.’
The theme provided a platform for regulators, compliance officers, industry leaders, and scholars to analyze the new Act and its far-reaching impact on governance, risk management, and compliance across Nigeria’s financial markets.
The conference reaffirmed AERMP’s role as a leading platform for thought leadership, regulatory engagement, and professional development in enterprise risk management.
By engaging top regulators, industry leaders, and academia, the association continues to equip professionals with the knowledge, skills, and networks required to mitigate risks and promote compliance culture across organizations.
Buba Marwa, NDLEA chairman, said that “under the 2025 Act, risk management is no longer a support function; it is a strategic imperative,” advising that boards and compliance officers must embed resilience and proactive governance in their institutions.
Ola Olukoyede, EFCC chairman, 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.
Taiwo Ige, AERMP President, noted that the theme was apt and strategic, pointing out the place of risk managers and compliance officers in the effective implementation of ISA 2025.
Abiola Babajide, Ag. Vice Chancellor, James Hope University, highlighted the institution’s academic-industry collaboration with AERMP, and underscored the dual-teaching model that combines academic expertise with professional practice, while unveiling the benefits of the exchange programme between AERMP and the University.
Olayinka Odutola also welcome the participants and used the opportunity to appreciate the sponsors, especially the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) for always supporting the programmes of the association.
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.
The collaboration between AERMP and James Hope University was showcased, particularly the MBA in Enterprise Risk Management combined with Certified Risk Analyst (CRA) Certificate, making it a dual certification programme, the first of such worldwide, between two global institutions, James Hope University and the Association of Enterprise Risk Management Professionals (AERMP).
The commended all dignitaries, partners, inductees, and participants whose presence and contributions made the event a resounding success, saying, “together, we are building a future of resilience, compliance, and excellence in Nigeria’s financial markets.”
