SEC Director-General, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, said the master plan will deepen participation, expand products and strengthen market integrity and infrastructure.

He said the market is key to the government’s plan to build a $1 trillion economy.

‎Agama said equities market capitalisation crossed N100 trillion for the first time in January and rose above N160 trillion in September. The All-Share Index gained about 60 percent in 2026 after 51 percent in 2025.

He cited Nigeria’s return to the FTSE Russell Frontier Market Index on Sept. 21 as a sign of global confidence.

‎But he said growth in value has not matched participation. Few Nigerians own shares, bonds or collective investment units. Many businesses and state governments still depend on banks or foreign capital.

“The strength of any capital market rests on the savings of its people. Ours must rest on the savings of all of us,” Agama said.

To address this, SEC announced a National Savings Scheme to give Nigerians a formal way to save and invest.

‎Agama said the scheme will target traders, farmers and young graduates. Funds will be managed by registered fund managers. It has legal backing under the Investments and Securities Act 2025. SEC, the Nigeria Revenue Service and FSD Africa will support it with tax incentives.

‎He said implementation committees will be inaugurated to ensure results.

‎”Every commitment in NCMMP 2.0 will have an owner, a timeline and a scorecard, and we will report progress openly,” he said.

He said the UK Government through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and FSD Africa supported the plan.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Capital Market, Osita Izunaso, urged the government to encourage more companies to list on the Nigerian Exchange.

‎Izunaso said Nigeria has over five million registered companies but only about 151 listed.

He said major firms like the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and telecoms companies should list to allow Nigerians to own shares and deepen the market.

‎He also urged SEC to speed up regulations for digital assets and tokenisation, warning that delay could cost Nigeria emerging opportunities.

He praised the Investments and Securities Act 2025 as key for investor protection.