- Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to intensify efforts against Ponzi schemes in 2025
- SEC Director-General Dr Agama stressed the importance of investor protection and market integrity
- New initiatives planned for improving market transparency and accountability
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has vowed to intensify its efforts to eliminate Ponzi and pyramid schemes in 2025, creating a more secure environment for legitimate investment opportunities to flourish.
SEC Director-General Dr. Emomotimi Agama, in his New Year address to the capital market community on Sunday, January 5, emphasised that protecting investors remains central to the commission's mission.
SEC vows to revamp enforcement and investigative processes
“Naturally, our top priority in 2025 will cut across this dual mandate. For us, mainstreaming the Nigerian capital market into the economy is very vital.
“Enforcement is the backbone of effective regulation. We are revamping our investigative processes to enhance efficiency and hold bad actors accountable more decisively,” Agama stated.
He highlighted the SEC’s commitment to deepening market integrity, boosting investor confidence, and supporting economic growth.
“Insider trading undermines activities and dampens market fairness. By revising our regulatory framework, we aim to strengthen detection, prevention, and accountability mechanisms.
“Transparency is at the heart of investors’ confidence in capital markets.
“We will introduce measures to ensure greater visibility and trust in securities transactions,” the SEC Director-General stated.
SEC to improve efficiency of investments, securities tribunal in 2025
Agama further emphasised that the SEC remains focused on its dual responsibility of regulating and developing Nigeria’s capital market.
A key initiative for 2025, he noted, would be improving the efficiency of the Investments and Securities Tribunal, ensuring quicker and more equitable dispute resolutions to strengthen overall market performance.
The SEC also planned to prioritise reforms in Nigeria’s commodities market, which Agama described as a critical area for the country’s economic advancement.
Given Nigeria’s agrarian base, he stressed that the SEC is committed to tapping into the sector’s potential by reinforcing the legal and regulatory framework for both soft and hard commodities.
“Given the plethora of commodities across Nigeria, SEC, as a partner in development, will ensure we make a difference,” Agama said.
Agama calls for stakeholder collaboration to achieve capital market goals
Concluding his message, Agama reiterated the SEC’s vision for a more dynamic and inclusive capital market in 2025, one that would build investor trust and contribute to long-term economic development.
“As we embark on this journey, I invite all stakeholders to work with us in achieving these goals.
“Together, we can unlock the potential of the Nigerian capital market and make this a defining year for our economy.
“Our aim is to steer the capital market in a direction that ensures development reaches the doorstep of every Nigerian,” Agama stated.
MMM, Loom, Racksterli, 7 other Ponzi schemes that cost Nigerians their fortune
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier compiled a list of the top 10 Ponzi schemes that have affected Nigerians.
These Ponzi schemes promised unusually high returns on investment but ultimately led to significant financial losses for many Nigerians.