The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has emphasized that innovation alone cannot replace ethics and professionalism as the foundation for a credible and transformative capital market.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

According to Nivo News, the Director General of the SEC, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, made this assertion over the weekend during the 29th annual conference of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) held in Abuja. He stressed that a sustainable and trustworthy capital market must be built on “integrity, transparency, and accountability.”

Dr. Agama noted that while technology continues to reshape global financial systems, the credibility of Nigeria’s capital market ultimately rests on the trust and ethical standards maintained by its operators. “No amount of innovation can replace the foundational importance of ethics. A truly transformative capital market must be built on integrity, transparency, and accountability,” he said.

He urged stockbrokers to demonstrate the highest levels of professionalism and ethical conduct in their operations, emphasizing that investor confidence depends on honesty, fairness, and competence in market dealings.

Speaking on the theme of this year’s conference, “Capital Markets in a Digital, Ethical, Sustainable Era: Pathways for Economic Transformation,” Agama described it as timely and reflective of global trends where technology drives innovation, ethics anchor trust, and sustainability defines the future of finance.

“These three dimensions—digitalization, ethics, and sustainability—are not separate pillars; they form the foundation of a modern, inclusive, and resilient capital market,” he explained.

Highlighting the SEC’s commitment to embracing digital transformation, Agama cited the emergence of online trading platforms, blockchain, artificial intelligence, and data analytics as tools revolutionizing how capital is raised, invested, and supervised.

He revealed that the Commission is strengthening market surveillance systems, automating regulatory processes, and implementing risk-based supervision frameworks to enhance transparency and efficiency in the Nigerian capital market.

Agama further noted that the SEC is working closely with stakeholders, including the CIS, to promote digital literacy and capacity building across the sector. “As technology evolves, so must our skills, our ethics, and our shared commitment to fairness and professionalism,” he stated.

He described the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers as a vital partner in fostering professionalism, setting standards, and upholding the ethical codes that define the stockbroking profession. “Professionalism and ethical conduct are non-negotiable,” he stressed, adding that both institutions must continue to strengthen ethics education and disciplinary frameworks to maintain market integrity.

Dr. Agama’s remarks reaffirm the SEC’s broader vision of positioning the Nigerian capital market as a transparent, innovative, and investor-friendly environment capable of driving long-term economic growth.