SEC eyes N5trn Shari’ah-compliant products listings by 2025

By Cynthia Ezekwe.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), has disclosed its commitment towards recording 50 listings of Shari’ah-compliant products with a combined market capitalisation of at least N5 trillion by 2025.

Lamido Yuguda, the director-general, SEC, made this known at a capacity building workshop for local Shariah talent for non-interest capital market – level II, held recently  in Abuja, noting that the non-interest capital market (NICM) segment of the revised capital market masterplan (2021 – 2025), targets 100 retail Shariah-compliant products and over one million direct investors in Shariah-compliant products.

Yugada who was represented by Dayo Obisan, executive commissioner operations,  stated that the commission has resolved to redouble its developmental efforts, especially in capacity building that nurtures reputable professionals to leverage Sharia best practices in facilitating the sound implementation of Sharia-compliant initiatives with the ultimate aim of deepening the NICM space.

The DG stated that the commission would continue to leverage its subsidiary, the Nigerian Capital Market Institute, especially in developing robust programmes around non-interest finance which are expected to promote capacity-building and sharia-compliant products and processes,

“The objective of this workshop, therefore, is fast-tracking the development of experts for the market. We believe this will enhance the development of our local Sharia talent, not only for the Nigerian Capital Market but also for the Nigerian Financial system in general,’’ Yuguda said.

He added that the level of activities in the non-Interest capital market currently experienced in Nigeria affirms the overwhelming acceptance of NICM products by different classes of investors, which portrays a strong appetite for these class of assets as evidenced by the oversubscription of the FGN and corporate Sukuk issued in previous years.

The DG noted that the level 1 segment of the workshop, was conducted in December 2022, and covered the basic areas of financial market structure and Operations of the capital market and three modules from shariah principles and contracts relating to Non-Interest Capital Markets.

He reiterated that Level II is aimed at consolidating participants’ understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of the NICM.

“Armed with this training and subsequent ones to come, the participants would undoubtedly have the potential to provide Shariah advisory services for the Islamic finance industry, particularly the non-interest capital market’s operations as it relates to Shariah principles and rulings,” he noted.

Yuguda pointed out that the non-interest finance sector has gradually grown to become a distinct industry within the broader financial landscape, offering alternatives to traditional interest-based financial systems.

He noted that the significant progress recorded in this area is evidenced by the last ranking of Nigerian Islamic finance in 13th place on the Global Islamic Finance Development Indicator 2022, ahead of countries like Bangladesh and Turkey.