The SEC Boss, who made the appeal in his keynote address delivered at the Emerging Africa Capital Limited Investor Summit & Awards event with the theme “Deploying and Mobilizing Capital and Investment Strategies in a Shifting Global Economy”, noted that recent reforms initiated by the commission to transform the capital market were achieving desired results but stressed that a collective approach in pushing them would help in positioning Nigeria as a leading investment landscape in the global space.

Agama, who elaborately highlighted the implications of the current macroeconomic uncertainties in the global economic order for all economies globally, pointed out that while some countries remained the choice of many investors now due to quick returns opportunities, in the long run countries like Nigeria would offer longer benefits in view of their huge but yet to be fully explored opportunities.

According to him, Nigeria’s capital market has demonstrated considerable resilience in the face of the headwinds as the regulatory reforms, including the introduction of electronic offerings, the deepening of the bond market, the expansion of alternative investment platforms, and the SEC’s engagement with sustainable finance principles have begun to bear fruit in attracting renewed investor interest, indicative of a market in active evolution.

Despite the feats, the Director-General admitted that the full potential of what the capital market can do for Nigeria’s development had not yet been fully unlocked as the market capitalization, relative to GDP, remained below the benchmarks of Nigeria’s peer economies, while retail investor participation is still too thin and  derivatives market is at its nascent stage.

To translate the potential to real gains for investors and the nation’s economy, Agama advocated collective responsibility since the  capital market cannot be single-handedly built by regulators, exchanges or by investors alone, pointing out that its strength lies in stakeholders playing their roles with integrity, competence, and long-term orientation.

Specifically, he advised domestic corporate issuers to embrace the capital market as their primary pathway to growth financing by improving governance, sharpening disclosure, and building the investor relations capabilities that attract institutional capital.

He assured: “The market rewards quality, and the companies that invest in quality today will access capital on terms that compound their competitive advantage.”

This is even as he urged domestic institutional investors, particularly pension fund administrators and insurance companies to deepen their engagement with domestic capital market instruments, to participate actively in the price discovery process, and to develop the analytical capacity to invest confidently across asset classes and geographies as Nigeria’s savings pool is a resource of enormous strategic significance.

Similarly, the SEC boss assured foreign investors and development finance institutions that Nigeria remained open for investments as the SEC continued to create a regulatory environment that is principles-based, transparent, and aligned with international best practices.

The Director-General also appealed to his colleagues in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Debt Management Office(DMO), National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), the Pension Commission (PenCom), and other relevant agencies tocontinue to deepen inter-agency collaboration, harmonize our policies, and present a unified, investor-friendly face to the world as the sophistication of the nation’s capital market depended on the coherence of their regulatory frameworks.

On the promise of capital deployed with purpose, Agama said: “The history of economic development is, at its core, the history of how societies have organized the deployment of capital. The nations and peoples that have built great economies have done so not simply because they were endowed with resources, but because they developed the institutions, the instruments, and the discipline to channel those resources toward their highest and most productive uses.

“Nigeria stands at an inflection point. The global economy is shifting in ways that create both significant risks and significant opportunities for an emerging market of our scale and potential. The decisions we make — individually as investors and collectively as a financial community — in the next three to five years will determine whether we capture the upside of this moment or allow it to pass us by”, he added.

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Mr. Okwudili graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Accounting in 1998 from the University of Maiduguri, Nigeria, with a Second Class Upper division. He obtained a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria in 2008 and a Masters of Science in Accounting from Veritas University, Abuja, Nigeria in 2021.

Mr. Okwudili has over twenty-five years of cognate banking experience spanning credit and marketing, treasury, compliance as well as operations and had at different times worked in various zones and departments of the bank.

He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), 2013, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), 2024 and an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), 2016.

He has attended several Executive Education Programmes both within and outside the country, including: Senior Leadership Development Programme at the Lagos Business School, Corporate Directorship Programme at the Harvard Business School and Oxford Advanced Management and Leadership Programme at the University of Oxford, SAID Business School.

He is currently the President of Catholic Bankers Association of Nigeria (CBAN) and a member of the Noble Order of the Knights of St. John International (KSJI).

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During the signing ceremony in Abuja Wednesday, Director General of the SEC, Dr. Emomotimi Agama stressed the importance of educating and enlightening Nigerians on the dangers of investing in unregistered schemes popularly referred to as Ponzi schemes.
Agama who was represented by the Executive Commissioner Operations, Mr. Bola Ajomale, urged Nigerians to avoid Ponzi schemes, highlighting that guaranteed high returns are major red flags.
He warned that these fraudulent operations are not legitimate investments and advised verifying company registration with the SEC.
According to him, ‘We have in the last couple of months been concerned about the way Nigerians have been losing their hard earned money to illegal operators. We have taken some steps and one of which is to launch campaigns to enlighten Nigerians on the dangers of patronizing these operators. We have also gone ahead to enlighten our operators so that they too can join in these campaigns.

“But we have seen that these are not enough. We have realized that the NOA has the spread and we believe this collaboration will have a major impact all over the country.

Agama commended various government agencies that are collaborating with the SEC in its avowed commitment to combat Ponzi schemes, adding that it is for the benefit of the entire citizenry.
“For us at the SEC, it is an honor to host you. It is an honor for us to be able to sign this and I believe it is the beginning of some wonderful things to come to this country. Thank you very much” he added.
In his remarks, the Director General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu expressed his excitement at the collaboration adding that he has directed his team to work with the SEC to achieve results within the shortest possible time.
Represented by Mr. David Akoji Director Special Duties and Zonal Cordination, Issa-Onilu said victims of Ponzi schemes have suffered tremendously adding that the NOA is willing to support any initiative that is aimed at checking the activities of such schemes.
“Nigerians are very vulnerable and it is important we enlighten them on the dangers of patronizing these schemes. The NOA is committed to this partnership and we therefore expect that after signing this MoU, we will commence work immediately,” he stated.

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IOSCO was established in 1983, serves as the global standard-setter for the securities industry and is recognised as the leading international policy forum for securities regulators. Its members regulate more than 95 per cent of the world’s securities markets across over 100 jurisdictions.

A statement released by SEC, said “this appointment, confirmed by IOSCO, reflects the growing recognition of Nigeria’s capital market and its strategic importance within the Africa and Middle East region. It highlights the confidence of peer regulators in Nigeria’s leadership, regulatory progress, and continued commitment to strengthening capital market systems.

It added that “the  re-election also presents a significant opportunity for SEC Nigeria to deepen its engagement at the highest level of global securities regulation. As AMERC Vice Chair, Nigeria will maintain a seat on the IOSCO Board, the organisation’s highest policy-making body, where critical decisions shaping global capital market standards, regulatory frameworks, and cross-border cooperation are made. This position ensures that Nigeria’s perspectives, experiences, and priorities are represented in key discussions that influence the direction of international financial markets.

According to Agama, “Beyond representation, this development enhances Nigeria’s ability to contribute meaningfully to global regulatory dialogue, particularly in areas such as enforcement cooperation, market integrity, and investor protection. It creates a stronger platform for collaboration with other jurisdictions on cross-border regulatory issues, including tackling illicit financial flows and strengthening supervisory frameworks. The role further supports ongoing efforts to align Nigeria’s capital market with international best practices, fostering greater investor confidence and facilitating increased participation in global financial markets.

“Ultimately, this milestone reinforces Nigeria’s position as a leading voice in regional and global capital market development. It is expected to contribute to building a more resilient, transparent, and robust capital market ecosystem, not only within Nigeria but across the broader Africa and Middle East region. SEC Nigeria remains committed to leveraging this opportunity to advance regulatory excellence, deepen market integration, and support sustainable economic growth”.

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Specifically, the MoU, which was recently signed by the Director-General, Dr. Emomotimi Agama; and the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, at the NYSC headquarters in Abuja, aims to integrate anti-Ponzi scheme campaigns into NYSC’s existing Education and Enlightenment Community Development Service (CDS) programme; and Promote financial literacy and sound investment habits among young Nigerians.

In addition, the collaboration will help in equipping corps members with essential knowledge and skills to identify and avoid Ponzi schemes and other illegal investment practices; and Enhance public awareness campaigns against illegal financial schemes across all Local Government Areas in the country, among other objectives.

Based on the scope of the collaboration, the SEC shall develop and provide relevant and up-to-date educational content, materials, and training modules on capital market operations, safe investment practices, and the identification and avoidance of Ponzi schemes as well as be responsible for the content, resources and funding of training sessions for selected corps members and NYSC supervisors who will serve as trainers and facilitators in their respective communities.

On its part, the NYSC shall facilitate the integration of anti-Ponzi scheme education into its Education and Enlightenment CDS programme, and this may involve dedicated sessions, workshops, or awareness campaigns during orientation camps and throughout the service year.

The parties shall collaborate on joint awareness campaigns, utilizing various channels and platforms, including social media, traditional media, and community outreach, to disseminate information on safe investment and expose fraudulent schemes; and agree on mechanisms for sharing relevant data and reporting on the progress and impact of the collaborative initiatives.

Speaking during the signing of the MoU, the SEC Director-General recalled that the commission had been supporting the NYSC scheme by providing opportunities to hundreds of corps members to serve in the commission, demonstrating the management’s commitment to the success of the scheme.

Agama clarified: “We have NYSC members at the SEC in the range of 160-180 and there is no other institution in this country can actually boast of that. It shows our commitment to the NYSC scheme. We believe that we can train them. We can train them for the market, we can train them for the nation, we can train them for themselves and there is no corps member that has gone through the NYSC scheme at the SEC that has regretted it.

“For all of them, we consider them as staff of the SEC and not just anybody. They are not just individuals, they are people we believe in, they are people we trust in and we know that if we train and mold them well they will be better ambassadors of the SEC in the outside world”, the Director-General added.

In his remarks, the NYSC Director-General commended the SEC boss for making the signing of the MoU a reality, saying that the deal represents a Key Performance Index (KPI) for both organisations.

Nafiu also acknowledged the sundry initiatives being undertaken by the commission’s leadership in making people believe in the capital market, adding that it is good to catch the corpers young so they won’t partonize Ponzi schemes.

He assured: “We believe it’s the beginning of great things to come. After signing of the MoU, in the execution phase, we remain committed to every process to executing to the letter the terms to the betterment of the larger Nigerian society.”

The post SEC, NYSC Collaborate on Nationwide Anti-Ponzi Campaign appeared first on Business Today NG.

The Rights Issue, which opened on October 20, 2025, and closed on December 31, 2025, was offered on a basis 2 new shares for every 3 shares previously held. The SEC letter confirms the successful conclusion of the capital raise and initiates the formal distribution of units to shareholders.
The share allotment will be conducted via e-allotment to the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) accounts of successful allottees. VFD Group PLC has coordinated with its Registrars, Africa Prudential Plc, to ensure an efficient settlement process.
Concerning the approval received, Group Managing Director, Nonso Okpala highlighted:
“We are pleased to have received the SEC clearance for the basis of allotment. This milestone allows us to officially welcome new and existing shareholders into this expanded capital structure. The successful uptake of this Rights Issue provides the necessary capital buffer to harden our institutional infrastructure and accelerate our pan-African footprint. We thank our shareholders for their continued belief and confidence in the VFD vision.”
About VFD Group PLC
VFD Group is a leading principal investment firm listed on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX). The Group manages a diverse portfolio across financial services & technology, capital market infrastructure, hospitality and real estate, focused on building Africa’s most valuable ecosystem of businesses.

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Aligned with the UN Women theme “Rights, Justice, Action – For All Women and Girls,” the event, held during the Nigerian Exchange Closing Gong Ceremony, served as a call for sustained action to advance gender equality and expand women’s participation in economic leadership.

Delivering the welcome address, Temi Popoola, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NGX Group, emphasized the critical role capital markets must play in shaping inclusive economic growth. “Capital markets are powerful engines for economic transformation. When women participate fully as leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors, markets become stronger, deeper, and more resilient. At NGX Group, we remain committed to advancing policies, partnerships, and platforms that expand opportunities for women and accelerate inclusive prosperity,” he said.

Delivering special remarks, Honourable Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, commended NGX Group and its partners for advancing gender inclusion through the initiative. “I congratulate NGX Group and its partners for sustaining this important global movement and for championing gender equality within our financial ecosystem. Together, let us continue to open the doors of opportunity so the next generation of women can lead with confidence and help transform our world,” she said.

Chioma Uzodimma, First Lady of Imo State, called for collective action to expand opportunities for women and girls. “As we sound the NGX Gong today, let it symbolize our shared pledge to protect every girl child, expand opportunities for every woman, and build an inclusive economy where every woman and girl can flourish,” she said.

Jude Chiemeka, Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Exchange, emphasized the importance of broadening women’s participation in the capital market ecosystem. “When more women participate in the market as investors and professionals, we deepen the market and strengthen the foundation for sustainable growth,” he said.

Claude Owona, Regional Industry Manager for Financial Institutions at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa, underscored the role of capital markets in translating gender equality commitments into real economic outcomes. “Ring the Bell for Gender Equality is both symbolic and practical, because capital markets do not just reflect economies, they shape them. When women have equitable access to finance, leadership opportunities, and safe, inclusive workplaces, companies perform better and economies grow stronger. At IFC, we are proud to partner with NGX Group on market‑driven solutions that expand women’s participation as leaders, entrepreneurs, and employees, recognizing that inclusive growth is not aspirational, it is investable, and it is essential for long‑term resilience and shared prosperity,” she said.

Media entrepreneur and founder of EbonyLife Media, Mo Abudu, encouraged women to pursue their ambitions with clarity and confidence. “For me, it comes down to four things, purpose, passion, progress, and power. Find your purpose, let passion fuel your journey, stay consistent even when challenges arise, and most importantly, stand firmly in your power. Do not shrink,” she said.

Award-winning actor and filmmaker Funke Akindele urged women to pursue their ambitions with discipline and courage. “To every woman out there, you can do it. But beyond the words, we must put in the hard work, build structure into our businesses, and do things the right way. It takes courage to take the first step even when you’re not ready, courage to stay consistent when no one is clapping, and courage to hold firmly to your vision,” she said.

The Ring the Bell for Gender Equality ceremony celebrated the contributions of women to Nigeria’s capital markets and the broader economy while reinforcing the need for sustained action to close gender gaps in leadership, finance, and opportunity.

The 2026 edition was organized in collaboration with global partners including the International Finance Corporation (IFC), UN Women, the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE), the United Nations Global Compact, and the Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative (SSEI).

The event also featured the participation of female board members of NGX Group of companies, Ojinika Olaghere, Fatima Wali-Abdulrahman, Lilian Olubi, Ummahani Ahmad Amin, Amina Mohammed, and Fiona Ahime, alongside key ecosystem leaders including Onome Komolafe, Divisional Head, Business Services and Client Experience, CSCS Plc; Jumoke Olaniyan, Group Chief Strategy Officer, NGX Group; Uto Ukpanah, Chairperson, UN Global Compact Network Nigeria; and Mrs. Omowumi Akingbohungbe, Executive Director, WIMBIZ.

As the closing gong sounded, stakeholders echoed a common message: advancing gender equality requires more than dialogue. It requires sustained collaboration, deliberate action, and a collective commitment across governments, institutions, and markets to expand opportunities for women and girls.

Through initiatives such as Ring the Bell for Gender Equality, NGX Group and its partners continue to champion inclusive markets, recognizing that empowering women is essential to building stronger capital markets and a more resilient economy.

The post NGX Group, IFC, CSCS and WIMBIZ Drive Gender Equality at 2026 Ring the Bell Event appeared first on Business Today NG.

The insurer clarified that the issue relates to prior reporting periods and was fully resolved in line with NGX regulatory procedures. It confirmed that all outstanding filings have since been regularised and that the company is currently in full compliance with NGX listing rules and reporting obligations.

In a statement, the company explained that following the delays, it conducted a comprehensive review of its governance, reporting and compliance frameworks, resulting in strengthened internal controls and oversight mechanisms.

Among the measures introduced are stricter internal reporting timelines, improved cross-functional coordination, and enhanced review protocols to ensure timely and accurate disclosures. The company also reinforced Board oversight through its Audit and Risk Committees, establishing clearer accountability structures and structured periodic compliance reviews.

Additionally, upgraded compliance monitoring systems have been deployed across its finance and company secretariat functions to improve regulatory tracking and reporting processes. Management noted that further investments have been made in technology, human capital and governance processes to sustain operational transparency and regulatory adherence.

According to the company, the reforms have significantly improved reporting efficiency and compliance discipline, positioning it for long-term stability and growth.

Reaffirming its commitment to transparency and stakeholder confidence, Mutual Benefits stated that it remains dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of corporate governance, accountability and regulatory compliance. The company added that it continues to operate from a position of financial and operational stability, focused on delivering sustainable value to shareholders, policyholders, business partners and the investing public.

The insurer also expressed appreciation to stakeholders for their continued confidence and reiterated its commitment to full compliance with all regulatory requirements.

Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, regulated by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), has operated in Nigeria for over 30 years, providing general insurance solutions to individuals, businesses and institutions nationwide.

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In her new role, Olaniyan will lead enterprise-wide strategy formulation and execution across NGX Group, driving initiatives aligned with the Group’s ambition to deepen market liquidity, expand product innovation, broaden investor participation, and enhance long-term stakeholder value. The role is central to strengthening cross-functional alignment and organizational effectiveness as NGX Group continues to evolve its integrated market infrastructure model.

Prior to joining NGX Group, Olaniyan held senior leadership roles at FMDQ Group Plc and FDHL Group where she played key roles in business development, market expansion, and product innovation across the fixed income, currencies and derivatives markets. With over two decades of experience spanning financial markets, strategy, consulting, and banking, she brings extensive expertise in market structure, stakeholder engagement, and enterprise transformation.

Olaniyan holds a degree in Accounting as well as an MBA from INSEAD Business School and has built a reputation for driving growth, strengthening market participation, and delivering innovative financial market solutions that enhance transparency, efficiency, and market resilience.

Her appointment underscores NGX Group’s continued focus on disciplined strategy execution, strong governance and sustainable value creation. It also reflects the Group’s deliberate effort to strengthen its leadership structure through broader representation at the executive level, ensuring that women continue to play influential roles in shaping the evolution of Nigeria’s capital markets while contributing meaningfully to national economic development.

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Following a review of the results, the company recorded an increase in Profit After Tax (PAT) which rose from N100.1 billion in 2024 to a remarkable N273 billion representing a 173% increase. This outstanding performance is underpinned by volume-led growth, disciplined cost optimization across operations, enhanced plant stability, improved distribution efficiency, retail expansion, and efficient financial management.

Operating profit increased from 193 billion in 2024 to N392 billion following strong top-line momentum and continued execution on cost and efficiency initiatives. Earnings per share grew from N6.22 in 2024 to N17 in 2025, representing an outstanding 173% increase.

Commenting on the results of the landmark year, Lafarge Africa CEO, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, said: “Our Full Year 2025 results are a testament of the effectiveness of our 4-point strategy, disciplined execution and relentless focus on value creation. Reaching the ₦1 trillion Net Sales threshold, a 53% year-on-year increase, marks a historic turning point for our Company. With a 103% surge in Operating Profit to ₦392 billion, we have demonstrated exceptional operating excellence. This 173% growth in Profit After Tax is the direct result of our focus on plant reliability, operational efficiency, and commitment to shareholder value.”

Alade-Akinyemi added: ‘Looking forward, with Huaxin’s collaboration and industrial expertise, we are excited about the year 2026 and the opportunities ahead. We maintain a prudent and agile approach to capital allocation and cost management while positioning the business to capitalize on emerging market opportunities. Our resilience, operational scale, and strategic clarity provide a strong foundation for sustainable growth and enhanced shareholder value.’’

The CEO expressed his appreciation to the company’s employees, customers, stakeholders, and investors for their continued trust. ‘Their partnership and support reinforce our commitment to delivering resilient performance and superior value creation”. He remarked.

Lafarge Africa has presented a robust and positive outlook for 2026. The CEO reaffirmed that the company’s priorities are focused on improving capacity utilization, enhancing value creation, embedding sustainability across operations, and top-notch industry-leading health and safety performance.

Recently, the company announced their plans to expand Ashakacem Plant in Gombe State and Sagamu Plant in Ogun State. Upon completion, Ashaka and Sagamu Plants’ total capacity will be 2MT and 3.5MT per annum respectively. After the expansion, the total capacity of Lafarge Africa will rise to 14.0MMT.

Lolu Alade- Akinyemi concluded: ‘Lafarge Africa Plc will continue to explore the volume opportunities in our markets, while sustaining prudent cost optimization. Our sustainability-driven growth model remains at the core of our long-term value creation strategy, underpinned by the continued execution of our strategic priorities.’

About Lafarge Africa Plc
Lafarge Africa Plc, a leading Sub-Saharan Africa building solutions company, listed on the Nigerian stock Exchange, Lafarge Africa Plc is actively participating in the urbanization and economic growth of Nigeria, the largest economy in Africa.

Lafarge Africa Plc has the widest footprint in Nigeria with cement operations in the South West (Ewekoro and Sagamu in Ogun State), North East (Ashaka, in Gombe State), South East (Mfamosing, Cross Rivers State), with Ready-Mix operations in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt.

Lafarge Africa Plc leverages on its innovative expertise to provide value-added products and services solutions in the building and construction industry in Nigeria.

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