Onome Amuge
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has said it will prioritise the mobilisation of long-term capital to address the country’s infrastructure and sectoral deficits, while streamlining regulation and accelerating the issuance of innovative financial instruments to channel investment into productive areas of the economy.
The strategy was outlined in a New Year message issued in Abuja by Emomotimi Agama, the commission’s director-general. He said the regulator’s focus reflects an intentional effort to reposition Nigeria’s capital market as a key driver of economic development.
In 2026, the SEC plans to facilitate the issuance of infrastructure bonds, green bonds, municipal bonds and infrastructure-focused funds, aimed at attracting both domestic and international long-term investors. According to Agama, the objective is to direct capital towards roads, power, rail, housing and digital infrastructure, while simplifying market access for state governments and infrastructure companies.
The commission also intends to deepen capital market participation in agriculture by promoting the listing of agribusiness companies and creating tailored listing windows for agricultural cooperatives and value-chain firms. Instruments such as agricultural investment trusts, commodity-linked securities and the use of commodity exchanges are expected to reduce risk, improve price discovery for farmers and strengthen food security.
In real estate, the SEC plans to revitalise real estate investment trusts (REITs) and introduce affordable housing bonds, initiatives it says will unlock funding for mass housing projects, expand investor asset classes and support homeownership.
Agama added that regulatory reforms are under way to incentivise listings by small and medium-sized enterprises, particularly in manufacturing, automotive, pharmaceuticals and finished goods. By providing patient capital, he said, the capital market could help revive domestic production, reduce import dependence and support job creation, while positioning “Made in Nigeria” brands for global competitiveness.
The power sector will also be targeted through infrastructure bonds, green energy bonds, project-backed securities and public–private investment vehicles. These measures are intended to support grid expansion, renewable energy, embedded power solutions and energy transition initiatives by improving project bankability and attracting long-term capital.
As the new year begins, Agama said, the commission is seeking to redefine the role of the capital market. “We look back at a year of transformation and forward to a future in which the capital market becomes a definitive solution provider for Nigeria’s most pressing economic and developmental needs,” he said.
