Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group) on Wednesday, hosted a Closing Gong Ceremony in honour of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, as part of efforts to strengthen the partnership between the country’s capital market regulators and law enforcement agencies.
The ceremony highlighted a shared commitment to investor protection, the prevention of financial crime, and the reinforcement of trust and confidence in Nigeria’s capital market.
Welcoming the Police boss, Alhaji Umaru Kwairanga, Group Chairman of NGX Group, commended the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force for the way it supported efforts at ensuring market integrity.
According to Kwairanga, “market integrity is a shared responsibility. By honouring the Inspector-General of Police, we are reinforcing the importance of institutional alignment in protecting investors and preserving trust in our financial system. Strong collaboration between regulators, enforcement agencies, and market infrastructure institutions is essential to building a resilient and credible market that supports economic growth.”
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Emomotimi Agama, emphasized the importance of coordinated enforcement.
For him, “investor protection is at the core of market regulation, and today’s engagement highlights how critical collaboration with law enforcement is to achieving that mandate. This partnership strengthens our enforcement capacity, enhances deterrence against illegal investment activities, and reinforces confidence in the Nigerian capital market.”
Responding, IGP Egbetokun reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to a transparent and well-regulated capital market, which he agrees “is vital to Nigeria’s economic growth. The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to working with regulators and market operators to prevent financial crime, protect investors, and uphold the integrity of our financial system.”
Also speaking, Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), Ahonsi Unuigbe, highlighted the role of the Exchange in promoting market discipline, stressing that “a transparent and orderly market can only thrive where rules are respected and misconduct is addressed decisively. The presence of the Nigeria Police Force in this collective effort sends a strong signal that safeguarding the market is a national priority.”
Similarly, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NGX Group, Temi Popoola, stressed the importance of aligning innovation with oversight.
“Technology and market growth must be supported by strong enforcement and investor protection frameworks. Our collaboration with the SEC and the Nigeria Police Force reflects a unified approach to preserving the credibility of Nigeria’s capital market,” he stressed.
The event brought together key stakeholders across the capital market ecosystem, all of who reaffirmed their commitment to accountability, transparency, and investor confidence. The ceremonial Closing Gong marked a collective resolve to strengthen Nigeria’s financial system through sustained collaboration.
