Nigeria: Judges Vital to Effective Implementation of Investments and Securities Act — SEC DG

The Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Emomotimi Agama, has underscored the critical role of the judiciary in the successful implementation of the newly enacted Investments and Securities Act (ISA) 2025. He called for greater judicial collaboration to uphold the integrity and effectiveness of Nigeria’s capital market.

Dr. Agama made the appeal in Abuja on Monday during the opening ceremony of the 2025 Capacity Building Interactive Workshop for Judges, themed “Repositioning the Nigerian Capital Market for National and Economic Transformation through Effective Dispute Resolution.”

Describing the new ISA as a “landmark reform,” Dr. Agama said the legislation marks a pivotal shift toward a more transparent, efficient, and investor-protective capital market.

“The ISA 2025 is a transformative legal framework that aims to strengthen market transparency, reinforce investor confidence, and attract sustainable investments,” he said. “Its passage is a testament to the Executive and Legislature’s shared commitment to economic resilience and inclusive development.”

He emphasized that the judiciary’s role is indispensable in interpreting the Act, resolving disputes, and setting legal precedents that will shape market behavior for years to come.

“From addressing insider trading to adjudicating securities fraud, the courts serve as the backbone of accountability and investor trust. That’s why this workshop is central to our strategy of ensuring the judiciary is fully engaged with the nuances of capital market law, ethics, and regulations,” the SEC DG added.

Dr. Agama noted that the Commission is committed to ensuring that the provisions of the ISA 2025 are widely understood, accurately interpreted, and effectively enforced through continuous engagement with all stakeholders, especially judicial officers.

In his goodwill message, Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by the Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, Mr. Tope Fasua, reinforced the need for judicial precision and timeliness in capital market adjudication.

“Judges’ pronouncements carry far-reaching implications,” Fasua said. “A sound and timely judgment sends a positive signal to investors, while delays or inconsistencies can introduce systemic risks and undermine investor confidence.”

Also speaking, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, welcomed the enactment of the ISA 2025, describing it as a significant milestone that aligns with Nigeria’s ambition to deepen and modernize its financial system.

The workshop represents a concerted effort to equip judges with the expertise needed to navigate the complexities of capital market jurisprudence and ensure that legal interpretations support the sustainable transformation of Nigeria’s investment landscape.