Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has set January 1 to 31, 2026, as the period for all Capital Market Operators (CMOs) to renew their registrations. Failure to comply prohibits operations in the capital market.
Okay News reports that the announcement came in a release on December 21, 2025. From the first quarter of 2026, the SEC will shift to fully electronic processing of registrations and updates.
Director General Emomotimi Agama outlined the reforms during an interview in Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital. They aim to create a faster, more transparent regulatory environment.
“We are taking deliberate steps to make regulatory processes faster, more transparent, and technology-driven,” Agama stated.
The SEC introduced a Digital Transformation Portal for seamless submissions. Operators can now apply, upload documents, and track status online.
Processing times decrease significantly. Physical interactions with the commission reduce accordingly.
An automated module handles Commercial Paper issuances. Filings, monitoring, and approvals occur electronically, improving turnaround.
Quarterly and annual returns submission will automate next. Structured templates and accuracy checks ensure compliance.
A returns analytics dashboard supports risk-based supervision. It enables prompt identification of exceptions.
Infrastructure upgrades include servers, storage, networks, and security frameworks. Selective cloud migration proceeds for scalable platforms.
Core systems remain on-premise pending full evaluations. Vulnerability assessments and penetration testing follow automation stabilisation.
Agama emphasised cybersecurity and data integrity as vital for investor trust. He described trust as “the cornerstone of our markets.”
Regulatory clarity on emerging technologies like artificial intelligence features prominently. Capacity building targets smaller operators.
“As operators embrace automation, AI, and data-driven tools, they must ensure ethical, secure, and compliant deployment,” Agama said.
He urged CMOs to prioritise fairness, transparency, accountability, and compliance. These protect investors and sustain market credibility.
The reforms modernise oversight in Nigeria’s capital markets. They align with broader efforts to enhance efficiency and participation.
Digital adoption promises reduced bottlenecks while maintaining robust supervision across the sector.
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