The CFA Society Nigeria, in partnership with FMDQNext, has empowered students from Ekiti State University by providing essential investment skills through an immersive three-day training program in Lagos. Themed “Developing the Next Generation of Finance and Investment Management Leaders,” the initiative aims to equip aspiring finance professionals with practical knowledge and experience in the financial sector.
This training is part of CFA Society Nigeria’s broader University Outreach program, which seeks to nurture future leaders in finance and investment management by establishing and endorsing investment clubs across Nigerian universities. The program aims to develop a pipeline of talent for Nigeria’s financial markets while fostering a deeper understanding of investment strategies among students.
Key topics covered during the training included an overview of the financial sector, the operations of the FMDQ Group, and live trading sessions, where students had the opportunity to engage in real-time trading activities. Notably, the top three students in the program earned substantial profits, with one student netting over N2 million in trading gains, showcasing the potential of practical experience in finance.
“The training is one of the many ways by which CFA Society Nigeria interfaces with Nigerian universities through our various outreach programs,” stated Ibukun Oyedeji, President of CFA Society Nigeria. “All these initiatives are designed to catch them young, develop and deepen the talent pool in our financial markets, and cultivate future leaders in the finance industry.”
Echoing this, Yemi Ajagun, Executive Director of CFA Society Nigeria, remarked on the students’ high level of engagement and enthusiasm throughout the training. “They appreciated the opportunity to learn outside the classroom and were particularly thrilled by the practical aspects of trading,” Ajagun noted. He added that the hands-on competition and overall experience exceeded students’ expectations, reinforcing the value of immersive learning.
FMDQNext played a pivotal role in the program, providing training facilitators, access to their facilities, and practical trading demonstrations. Ajagun emphasized the importance of real-world exposure, stating, “The positive reception and successful outcomes have proven our concept of exposing students to immersive hands-on and practical training with practitioners as a way of enriching the learning experience of students.”
Feedback from participants highlighted the transformative nature of the training. Students expressed their gratitude to CFA Society Nigeria, FMDQNext, and the university’s pro-chancellor for making the experience possible. They described the training as providing invaluable insights into the financial world and expressed hope that similar opportunities would be available to many more students in the future.
The initiative aligns with a growing recognition of the importance of equipping young professionals in Africa with practical skills and knowledge in finance. By fostering partnerships between educational institutions and financial organizations, programs like these are crucial for building a competent workforce capable of navigating the complexities of the global financial landscape.
In a continent where access to practical financial education is often limited, such initiatives represent a significant step towards enhancing financial literacy and investment competence among the youth. The CFA Society Nigeria’s commitment to developing the next generation of finance leaders will not only benefit individual students but also contribute to the overall growth and stability of the African financial market.
