SEC DG tasks Stockbrokers on professionalism, ethical conducts
By Denis Matthew, Abuja
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Director General, Dr. Emomotimi Agama has urged stockbrokers to consistently uphold the highest levels of professionalism and ethical conduct to ensure the fairness and transparency of the Nigerian capital market.
SEC Director General, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, delivered this message over the weekend during the 29th annual conference of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) in Abuja.
Agama stressed that investors must have absolute confidence that the intermediaries entrusted with managing their wealth operate under the strictest standards of honesty and competence.
Agama remarked that the conference theme, “Capital Markets in a Digital, Ethical, Sustainable Era: Pathways for Economic Transformation,” is highly relevant, reflecting a global shift where technology drives innovation, ethics anchors public trust, and sustainability dictates the future of finance.
"These three dimensions digitalization, ethics, and sustainability are not separate pillars; they form the foundation of a modern, inclusive, and resilient capital market," he stated.
The SEC Boss acknowledged that capital markets worldwide are being dramatically reshaped by technological innovation. This digital era introduces new possibilities through online trading platforms, digital assets, data analytics, blockchain, and artificial intelligence, transforming how capital is raised, invested, and supervised.
The Commission, Agama confirmed, views this transformation as an opportunity to enhance efficiency, transparency, and investor protection. He detailed ongoing efforts to strengthen market surveillance systems, automate regulatory processes, and implement risk-based supervision frameworks, all designed to prepare the Nigerian capital market for a digital economy.
He added, "We are also actively engaging with stakeholders, including the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, to deepen digital literacy and capacity-building across the market. As technology evolves, so must our skills, our ethics, and our shared commitment to fairness and professionalism."
Agama reinforced the point that no amount of technological innovation can substitute for the fundamental importance of ethics.
He asserted that a truly transformative capital market must be built on integrity, transparency, and accountability.
He commended the CIS for its role as a key partner in this area, recognizing the Institute's efforts in setting professional standards and upholding the code of ethics that defines the stockbroking profession.
"As regulators, we continue to emphasize that professionalism and ethical conduct are non-negotiable," the DG stressed. "Together, the SEC and the CIS must continue to strengthen ethics education, continuous professional development, and disciplinary frameworks to ensure the market remains a place of trust for all investors."