The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) says innovation alone cannot replace the foundational importance of ethics in building a credible and transformative capital market.

Director General of the SEC, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, stated this at the weekend during the 29th annual conference of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) held in Abuja.

He maintained that a truly transformative capital market must be built on “integrity, transparency, and accountability.”

Agama urged stockbrokers to uphold the highest levels of professionalism and ethical conduct in their operations, noting that the credibility of the market depends on trust and fairness.

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.

He explained that the world is currently witnessing a transition where technology drives innovation, ethics anchor trust, and sustainability defines the future of finance.