The West African Securities Regulators Association (WASRA) has honored Oscar N. Onyema, OON, for his exceptional commitment and instrumental role in shaping the integration of capital markets within the region.
Onyema was recognized for his significant contributions as the inaugural Chairman of the West African Capital Markets Integration Council (WACMIC), a position through which he played a pivotal role in fostering cooperation and collaboration among regional capital markets.
The accolade was presented to Onyema during the West Africa Capital Market Conference held in Lagos on the 25th and 26th of October 2023.
As the Group CEO of NGX Group, Onyema brings a wealth of experience and expertise, having served as the President of the African Securities Exchanges Association (ASEA) from 2014 to 2018.
During his tenure as the Chairman of WACMIC, Onyema spearheaded the strategic blueprinting and execution of Phases 1 to 3 of the regional capital markets integration plan.
Under his leadership, the council successfully secured funding in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB), leading to the implementation of Phase 1 sponsorship access.
Notably, this period marked the historic occurrence of the first cross-border transaction, a significant milestone in the advancement of regional financial integration.
Onyema’s visionary stewardship as the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) has also been instrumental in the transformation of the Exchange.
Notably, he led the successful transition of the NSE from a mutual, limited by guarantee structure to a demutualized, for-profit entity limited by shareholding, further cementing his legacy of groundbreaking initiatives within the Nigerian financial landscape.
