Caption: From left, Sunny Anene, Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer, United Capital Group; Dr. Emomotimi Agama, Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); Dr. Odiri Oginni, Managing Director/CEO, United Capital Asset Management; and Mr. Peter Ashade, Group CEO, United Capital Group at the United Capital Asset Management 2025 Investment Forum, held in Lagos.
Experts in the Nigerian capital market, on Tuesday, June 25, 2025, in Lagos harped on the need for all stakeholders to collaborate in the task of closing the country’s financial literacy gap, stressing that it is not a job to be left for regulators.
The experts who spoke at the second edition of the flagship Investment Forum organised by United Capital Asset Management, a subsidiary of Pan-African investment banking and financial services group, United Capital Plc, agreed that the task is a national imperative.
The event, which brought together dignitaries, capital market regulators, digital media innovators, and financial literacy advocates. examine how inclusive investments can accelerate sustainable economic growth.
Speaking on theme: “Advancing Financial Inclusion through Investments: Bridging Nigeria’s Knowledge and Wealth Gap,” Dr. Emomotimi Agama, Director-General of the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), set a compelling tone for the event.
In a fireside chat with Peter Ashade, Group CEO of United Capital Plc, Agama made a case for structured and simplified channels of bringing otherwise excluded Nigerians, especially those in the informal sector, into the capital market ecosystem.
He spoke extensively about the newly enacted Investments and Securities Act (ISA) 2025, outlining how the reforms are designed to strengthen market integrity, enhance investor protection, and enable broader access to capital market opportunities, particularly for underserved populations.
Speaking earlier, Ashade reaffirmed the group’s commitment to advancing financial inclusion and revisiting the vision that gave rise to the event, recalling that “when we launched the inaugural edition, our goal was simple: to create space for meaningful engagement on the role of the capital market in building wealth and driving inclusive economic growth. Today, that goal remains the same, but the urgency is even greater.”
Despite improved access to basic financial services, he stressed that capital market participation remains critically low, leaving a vast pool of economic potential untapped. He called on all stakeholders, competitors and regulators alike, to align efforts on a shared vision of inclusion, innovation, and sustainable growth for the capital markets.
The conversation also highlighted the power of media and credible digital influencers in correcting misinformation, combating Ponzi schemes, and promoting safe and long-term investment options. Echoing a shared belief, both leaders concluded that true financial inclusion goes beyond access; all Nigerians must be empowered with knowledge and confidence to build wealth and contribute meaningfully to economic growth.
The second part of the forum built on the momentum of the keynote, featuring actionable, cross-sector perspectives on building an inclusive investment ecosystem.
For example, Dr. Odiri Oginni, MD/CEO, United Capital Asset Management, kicked off the session with a compelling call to reduce Nigeria’s investment knowledge gap, supported by data-driven insights from Foyinsolami Akinjayeju, CEO of EFInA (Enhancing Financial Inclusion & Advancement).
For him, “what people need is the understanding of finance – the understanding of risks, investments, returns and diversification. For us as capital market operators, we need to go beyond product presentation, but to give people actual information that would help them manage their finances properly.”
The ensuing panel session brought together distinguished thought leaders in capital market regulation, digital media, personal finance, and grassroot banking such as Uche Uzoebo, CEO, SANEF; Jude Chiemeka, CEO, Nigerian Exchange Limited, who was represented by Abimbola Babasola, Head of the Trading and Products; Ugodre Obi-Chukwu, Founder, Nairametrics; Oler Oladele, Founder, Money Wit Club; and Sola Adesakin, Founder, Smart Stewards.
The experts shared practical strategies on building financial trust in underserved communities, tailoring investment products to consumer needs, leveraging digital platforms and aligning policy to make capital market participation more inclusive and impactful.
