The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has introduced a new technology adoption assessment survey targeting all registered Capital Market Operators (CMOs), marking a strategic move to strengthen innovation, operational efficiency, and resilience within Nigeria’s capital market.
Announced through a circular released on Wednesday, the Commission stated that the initiative aims to evaluate the extent to which advanced technologies are being utilised by CMOs across the country. The assessment will run for two weeks, from May 5 to May 20, 2025, and operators are required to log into the SEC e-portal using their existing credentials to complete the survey.
The survey forms part of the SEC’s broader agenda to modernise market operations through digital transformation. It is also in line with the Commission’s ongoing efforts to adapt its regulatory environment to support emerging trends, new financial products, and technology-driven services.
Speaking on the importance of innovation, the Director-General of the SEC, Emomotimi Agama, stressed the role of technology in advancing transparency, market depth, and investor protection. He encouraged stakeholders to adopt digital tools that can enhance performance and safeguard the financial ecosystem from emerging risks.
Agama further explained that the Commission’s innovation strategy is built on three foundational pillars: ensuring investor safety, deepening the market, and solving operational problems through technology. These pillars, he said, are critical to building a robust capital market that can meet both current and future demands.
One of the Commission’s flagship initiatives, the Regulatory Incubation Programme, was also highlighted. The programme offers fintech startups a one-year window to operate within a controlled regulatory environment while the SEC develops tailored guidelines to govern their activities. This approach is designed to foster innovation without compromising investor trust or market integrity.
In a related development, the SEC has introduced a new requirement mandating that all CMOs must complete the technology survey as part of the process for renewing their annual registration. This move underscores the Commission’s commitment to driving digital readiness and future-proofing Nigeria’s capital market infrastructure.
The SEC’s recent steps reflect a shift toward technology-led regulation, positioning the Nigerian capital market to compete more effectively on the global stage while better serving both investors and operators.
