The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is setting its sights on transforming Nigeria’s commodities exchanges into powerful engines of economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction. In a recent meeting with stakeholders in Abuja, SEC’s Director General, Emomotimi Agama, underscored the critical role these exchanges play in driving economic prosperity, emphasizing the importance of innovation and strategic collaboration to elevate the sector.
Agama reaffirmed the SEC’s commitment to building capacity and enhancing infrastructure, positioning the Commission as the backbone of Nigeria’s commodities market. He highlighted the pivotal regulatory role of the SEC, which ensures that the exchanges operate with transparency and credibility. At the heart of this initiative is the goal of creating a robust platform for buying and selling that not only benefits traders and investors but also addresses major challenges such as post-harvest losses and price instability, which affect farmers and producers across the nation.
We cannot overstate our role in ensuring the sustainability of Nigeria’s commodities exchanges, Agama said. These exchanges are a vital link in the agricultural value chain, enabling access to markets and stabilizing prices. Through effective regulation and innovative measures, we can unlock tremendous growth for the sector.
Looking ahead, Agama pointed to the SEC’s long-term vision for the commodities market, which is to create an enabling environment for investor protection and market integrity. He reflected on the establishment of a technical committee a decade ago, a move that has paved the way for the development of a commodities ecosystem aligned with the broader goals of Nigeria’s Capital Market Master Plan.
Nigeria is a commodity hub, with every state rich in natural resources. Our efforts aim to build a complete ecosystem that supports every part of the value chain, Agama added. Our mission is to ensure that all practitioners in the commodities space have a fair opportunity to thrive, contributing to economic development and national prosperity.
As part of its strategy, the SEC plans to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment to host the second International Commodities Conference later this year. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to sustain the benefits of Nigeria’s growing commodities market, with a focus on innovation, integrity, and inclusivity.
In an economy heavily reliant on commodities, Agama called on stakeholders to take full advantage of the emerging opportunities in the sector. With continued commitment to regulatory excellence and a focus on enhancing market access, the SEC is poised to lead the charge in transforming Nigeria’s commodities exchanges into a powerhouse for economic growth and job creation.