Minister of Finance, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, says the Federal Government is committed to building a vibrant capital market capable of contributing to the growth and development of the country.
Speaking on Tuesday at the maiden awards night of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) tagged ‘Committed Partnership’ in Lagos, Ahmed said capital markets play a central role in economic development by mobilising long-term savings for investment, as well as efficient pricing of financial instruments.
Over the years, she noted, the capital market has provided platforms through which corporates and governments source for capital to expand their operations and provide amenities for its citizens.
Nigeria, she continued, is making efforts to diversify its economy, raise revenues and plug leakages, while also making working at ensuring mobilisation of resources to aid investment in small and medium enterprises, besides providing infrastructure.
The Minister commended the awardees for contributing significantly towards achieving the over 100 initiatives contained in the capital market master plan, while appreciating their commitment and contributions to actualise the master plan.
She expressed delight that the main thrust of the plan aligns with the vision of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) for the financial services sector, with copious references to the 10 year master plan at its preparatory stage.
She disclosed that the ERGP vision for the financial services sector is to strengthen relevant market institutions and mitigate risk by building a healthy and competitive financial system that is better positioned to support private sector and contribute towards the sustainable development of our economy.
“Indeed, just as the Capital Market master plan, the ERGP policy objectives for the financial sector is to further diversify instruments of the stock market, review the capitalisation of the financial institutions and encourage lending to the real sector of the economy and encourage of the economy
“All of these are necessary for us to be able to create jobs, wealth and increase the standard of living of our people and the capital market is central to all of these efforts. I want to urge all of you here today to continue to partner with the government in its bid to achieve policies that it is committed to in the ERGP.”
“As the ERGP recognises the power of the capital market to drive its own forms, CAMMIC is today proven to be an embodiment of this recognition” she added.
Ahmed therefore commended the market participants for coming together to co-operate with the regulator to formulate the plan and implement the master plan in Impactful manner as shown by the results shown so far In diversifying and growing the market.
Welcoming all to the gathering, Acting Director General of SEC, Ms. Mary Uduk, said the event was put together to appreciate the tremendous support and collaboration the Commission has received from market operators and various stakeholders in the capital market which has advanced collective aspiration to accelerate the growth of the market and contribute to the development of the nation’s economy.
She said the implementation of the 10-year Capital Market Master Plan commenced in earnest under the guidance of the Capital Market Master Plan Implementation Council Chaired by Olutola Mobolurin.
Ms. Uduk assured that great strides have been made in the implementation efforts, adding: “We have taken up the initiatives outlined in the Master Plan document in a systematic manner while also painstakingly engaging with the government, its agencies and other critical stakeholders whose support and collaboration is required to achieve the objectives outlined in the Master Plan.”
Recall that the 10-year capital market master plan which was launched in 2014, has the aim to position the Nigerian capital market for an accelerated development of the national economy.

Photo Caption: Acting Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Mary Uduk presenting an award plaque to Financial Literacy Committee Chairman, Mrs Oluwatoyin Sanni, at the SEC Awards Night in Lagos on Tuesday, March 19, 2019, while Minister of Finance, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, looks on.