The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has unveiled an ambitious plan to unlock $500 billion from Nigeria’s dormant agricultural and mineral assets, positioning the capital market as a key driver of economic diversification and wealth creation.
The SEC Director-General, Emomotimi Agama, disclosed this during the National Workshop of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers in Abuja, stressing that formalising commodities and warehouse receipts into tradable securities would revolutionise the country’s investment landscape.
Agama explained that billions of dollars worth of agricultural produce and mineral resources remain underutilised due to lack of formal market structures. By converting these assets into tradable investment instruments, Nigeria could unlock massive capital for economic growth.
“By formalising commodities and warehouse receipts, we can unlock $500 billion in dormant agricultural and mineral assets. These will be transformed into tradable securities to generate wealth and drive diversification,” Agama said.
The move is expected to deepen the capital market, attract foreign investors, and reduce Nigeria’s over-reliance on crude oil revenue.
The SEC boss described the recently enacted Investments and Securities Act (ISA) 2025 as a turning point for Nigeria’s financial markets. According to him, the Act provides the Commission with broader regulatory powers to enforce market rules, protect investors, and eliminate fraudulent investment schemes.
“This Act is not merely an update; it is a revolution. It dismantles legacy constraints, embeds global best practices, and positions our market as the engine room for national prosperity,” Agama noted.
He added that the strengthened legal framework would fast-track Nigeria’s journey towards achieving a $1 trillion economy, with the capital market serving as a key accelerant.
Agama reassured market participants that investor protection remains a top priority under the new regulatory regime. The Commission now has clear powers to compensate investors for losses resulting from revoked dealer licenses — a long-awaited safeguard expected to boost investor confidence.
“Trust is the currency of our capital markets. Without it, liquidity dries up,” he said, stressing that market integrity and transparency are essential for sustainable growth.
The SEC’s strategy aligns with the Federal Government’s push to diversify Nigeria’s economy beyond oil, focusing on agriculture, mining, and other non-oil sectors. Analysts believe that by unlocking financing for the commodities market, Nigeria could strengthen its food value chains, boost mineral exploration, and attract global investors seeking alternative assets.
Capital market experts also predict that the move will stimulate job creation, rural development, and export expansion, particularly if supported by modern storage facilities, efficient logistics, and reliable pricing mechanisms.
The SEC is expected to work closely with stockbrokers, commodities exchanges, and relevant ministries to develop transparent trading systems for warehouse receipts and mineral assets. If fully implemented, this initiative could place Nigeria among Africa’s leading commodities trading hubs.