The Investments and Securities Tribunal (IST) is set to adopt new Rules of Engagement following its next board meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, as part of efforts to improve its operations and begin the digitalisation of its processes.

The Chairman of the Tribunal, Hon. Aminu Junaidu, disclosed this when the President of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Dr. Fiona Ahmed Ahimie, led members of the Institute on a courtesy visit to the Tribunal in Abuja at the weekend.

‎Junaidu said the digitalisation of the Tribunal’s processes would improve efficiency, facilitate easier access to justice and strengthen the integrity of the Nigerian capital market. He also assured investors and other stakeholders that the Tribunal would continue to ensure timely resolution of cases, adding that it was prepared to sit on weekends and public holidays where necessary.

‎The Chairman also expressed the Tribunal’s readiness to strengthen collaboration with the CIS, particularly in capacity building, which he said forms part of the Tribunal’s Key Performance Indicators. He added that such collaboration would enhance the skills and knowledge of professionals and contribute to the development of the capital market.

On her part, Ahimie said the visit was aimed at strengthening the relationship between the two institutions, describing the CIS and IST as important components of the Nigerian capital market ecosystem. She said both institutions should work towards building a transparent and investor-friendly market capable of attracting more investors.

The CIS President said confidence was returning to the Nigerian capital market but expressed concern about activities that could undermine the progress being made. She called for stronger collaboration among the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), CIS and IST to identify and prosecute fraudulent operators. According to her, the market currently has about 2.2 million registered investors, with efforts underway to attract an additional 10 million.

Ahimie also expressed the Institute’s readiness to collaborate with the Tribunal on investor education, training and capacity building, including extending its training programmes to other emerging African capital markets. She said investor education would help market participants better understand the sector and avoid fraudulent operators.

‎Meanwhile, a member of the Tribunal, Hon. Felix Onwuneme, raised concerns about the inactivity of the Administrative Proceedings Committee (APC) of the SEC, which he said had contributed to a backlog of complaints at the Commission. He noted that the Investments and Securities Act (ISA) 2025 allows matters to proceed to the Tribunal where the SEC fails to act within 60 days, but stressed the need for the APC to function effectively.

The meeting also featured calls for closer engagement between the CIS and IST, while both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to collaboration towards the development and protection of Nigeria’s capital market.