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The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has directed all capital market operators to renew their registrations between January 1 and January 31, 2026.
The Commission also announced plans to begin the electronic receipt and processing of registration applications and updates in the first quarter of 2026, as part of efforts to streamline regulatory processes and improve efficiency.
Director-General of the SEC, Dr Emomotimi Agama, disclosed this at the weekend during an interview in Abuja. He said the initiatives underscore the Commission’s commitment to leveraging technology to deliver faster, more transparent, and more efficient regulatory services.
According to Agama, the SEC is deliberately transitioning to technology-driven supervision by investing in automation, database-led oversight, and secure digital infrastructure to enhance its engagement with market participants.
He explained that through the SEC’s Digital Transformation Portal, registration and licensing processes have now been fully automated. Capital market operators can submit applications, upload required documents, and track approval status online, significantly reducing manual processing and the need for physical visits to the Commission.
Agama added that the SEC has also deployed a Commercial Paper issuance module, enabling operators to file documents, monitor application progress, and receive approvals electronically. Early user feedback, he noted, indicates notable improvements in turnaround times.
Further reforms are underway to automate the submission of quarterly and annual returns using structured templates and built-in system checks to improve accuracy. In addition, a returns analytics dashboard is being developed to support risk-based supervision and exception reporting.
To support these digital initiatives, the SEC is upgrading its IT infrastructure, including servers, storage, networks, and security systems, to enhance performance and reliability. Selective cloud migration is also ongoing for platforms requiring scalability and external access, while core internal systems remain on-premise as security and cost considerations continue to be assessed.
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