The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has called on Nigerians to harness the country’s burgeoning youthful population to unlock the nation’s full economic potential and bridge persistent inequalities. This charge was delivered by the Director-General of the SEC, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, during the United Capital Asset Management Investment Forum held on Wednesday in Lagos.
Emphasising the importance of inclusivity in economic participation, Agama stated that Nigeria is at a critical juncture where its demographic structure — heavily dominated by youth — could serve as a powerful engine of prosperity if appropriately tapped.
“Our theme, Advancing Financial Inclusion through Investments, is not aspirational; it is foundational to our national survival,” he declared. “By 2030, Nigeria can either harness its demographic dividend or face deepening inequality.”
The demographic dividend refers to the economic growth that results from changes in a country’s age structure, typically when the working-age population becomes larger than the non-working-age share. With over 70% of Nigeria’s population under the age of 30, this shift presents a golden opportunity for development — if backed by sound investment and financial inclusion strategies.
Agama stressed that real financial inclusion means more than just opening bank accounts. It involves empowerment, access to capital markets, and the ability to invest wisely.
“True inclusion is not just access — it’s empowerment. It’s enabling capital to become a transformative tool in the hands of the people,” he explained.
According to the SEC DG, Nigeria must move swiftly to close the growing knowledge-wealth gap, which he described as a “moral imperative.” He argued that widespread ignorance about financial instruments and limited participation in capital markets have contributed to high poverty rates.
“Only a small fraction of our population is engaged in capital market activities. This is a major reason for widespread poverty — we are running from opportunities to grow wealth,” Agama warned.
To change this trajectory, the SEC chief unveiled a four-pronged approach, which includes:
Democratising financial knowledge through education and digital platforms.
Catalysing investments in MSMEs, which are the bedrock of Nigeria’s economy.
De-risking SME loans through strategic partnerships with institutions like the Bank of Industry.
Closing the gender gap in finance, which Agama said could lift over 700,000 Nigerians out of poverty.
Highlighting the growing interest in retail investment, Agama pointed to MTN Nigeria’s public offering as a successful model. The initiative brought in over 150,000 new investors — 75% of whom were women and 85% aged below 40.
“This demonstrates the appetite for investment among the youth and women — the two most critical segments for our demographic advantage,” he noted.
The SEC’s call comes at a time when global development partners such as the World Bank and UNDP are also urging Nigeria to invest in human capital and digital infrastructure to maximize the demographic dividend.
As the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) deadline looms, experts believe Nigeria’s economic survival hinges on leveraging its human capital. While natural resources like oil remain central to the economy, the SEC’s focus is shifting toward people-driven development through inclusive finance.
Agama concluded his remarks with a passionate appeal to all stakeholders:
“This mission requires all hands on deck. We must all be both disciples and apostles of this vision. Moving the Nigerian capital market forward is not a chance event — it is a deliberate national action.”