IWD: Shun schemes that offer unreasonable high returns — SEC urges women

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has advised women to steer clear of investment schemes promising unrealistic returns, warning of the risks associated with such fraudulent ventures.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, the SEC said this advisory forms part of its activities to mark International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025.

The Commission announced that its IWD theme would be ‘Women: The Voice of the Capital Market’, with a focus on educating women about financial risks and opportunities.

It emphasised that raising awareness about Ponzi schemes among women would contribute significantly to its efforts in combating fraudulent investment operations.

“Ponzi schemes are fraudulent setups that operate without any genuine investment foundation. We must continue to educate Nigerians on their dangers, and by focusing on women, we believe we can create a ripple effect.

“If an investment seems too good to be true, it probably is. Women are known to share information within their communities, and by equipping them with financial knowledge, we can help protect their resources and, by extension, the wider society,” the SEC stated.

As part of its initiatives, the Commission plans to provide capital market literacy training to a select group of women, aiming to boost their participation in the financial sector.

The SEC also highlighted the need to empower women financially, noting that they have historically been underrepresented in the capital market.

“The vision of achieving a one-trillion-dollar economy, as proposed by President Bola Tinubu, cannot be realised without active female participation. Women are pivotal to economic growth, particularly in commodities trading, where they play a significant role.

“We need to change the narrative by enhancing women’s financial education and integrating them more effectively into the capital market,” the Commission added.

International Women’s Day is observed annually on 8 March, and the theme for 2025 is ‘March Forward Together’.