The Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Nigeria, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, has been elected Vice Chairman of the Africa/Middle East Regional Committee (AMERC) of the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) — a landmark achievement positioning Nigeria at the forefront of global capital market governance.
The SEC confirmed DG Emomotimi Agama election in a statement on Sunday, noting that by virtue of his new role, he will serve on the IOSCO Board — the highest decision-making organ of the global securities regulatory body — until 2026.
Founded in 1983, IOSCO is recognised as the world’s leading international policy forum for securities regulators, setting global standards for the industry. Its membership spans over 100 jurisdictions, collectively regulating more than 95 per cent of the world’s securities markets.
In his acceptance remarks, Dr. Agama expressed gratitude to AMERC members for their confidence in his leadership, describing his election as both a personal honour and a strategic responsibility.
“This is more than a personal honour; it is a mandate to transform our capital markets into engines of inclusive growth, innovation, and shared prosperity for Africa and the Middle East,” he stated.
Agama outlined key priorities for his tenure, including harmonising listing standards across the region, lowering listing costs to encourage more companies to go public, and boosting market liquidity through regional market-making schemes. He also emphasised the importance of pension fund reforms to channel more domestic savings into productive investments.
Highlighting infrastructure as a critical investment frontier, Agama pledged to work on de-risking major projects to attract global capital inflows. He noted that Africa’s youthful demographic presents immense opportunities for expanding retail investor participation, fostering fintech innovation, and encouraging the listing of tech startups.
On the fast-growing digital asset market, Agama projected a $10 trillion opportunity by 2030, calling for clear regulations on stablecoins, frameworks for tokenised securities, and robust investor protection standards for crypto assets.
Agama’s election comes on the heels of Nigeria’s SEC joining the Growth and Emerging Markets Committee Network on Sustainability, an IOSCO initiative aimed at aligning emerging market regulations with global sustainability principles. Analysts say this move signals Nigeria’s commitment to integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) frameworks into its capital market policies, making it more attractive to international investors.
Capital market experts have welcomed Agama’s new position, noting that it could enhance Nigeria’s influence in shaping global financial regulations. According to Dr. Seyi Owolabi, a Lagos-based investment analyst, “This role not only elevates Nigeria’s voice in the global regulatory space but also strengthens the credibility of our domestic market reforms.”
As Vice Chair of AMERC, Agama will collaborate with counterparts from Africa and the Middle East to develop strategies for cross-border investment, strengthen regulatory cooperation, and deepen market integration. His role on the IOSCO Board also means Nigeria will have a seat at the table in discussions that determine the future of global securities regulation.
Market observers believe Agama’s leadership could catalyse long-term reforms in Nigeria’s capital market, especially in the areas of capital mobilisation for infrastructure, regional capital market integration, and digital finance regulation.
With this election, Nigeria’s SEC is expected to leverage its global connections to attract foreign direct investment, foster innovative financial products, and enhance investor confidence in one of Africa’s largest economies.