Nigeria’s capital market has recorded a major milestone, with its total Assets Under Management (AUM) rising to N10 trillion from N3.2 trillion within the last two years. The remarkable growth reflects increasing investor confidence and the impact of reforms introduced to strengthen the country’s financial markets.
The achievement was announced by the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Emomotimi Agama, during the Closing Gong Ceremony held at the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) in Lagos. The event marked the successful transition of the market to a T+1 settlement cycle, a system that allows transactions to be completed one business day after they are executed.
According to Agama, the Nigerian capital market has experienced unprecedented growth in recent years. He noted that the jump in assets under management from N3.2 trillion to N10 trillion demonstrates the increasing trust investors have in the market and the effectiveness of ongoing regulatory reforms.
He also highlighted significant improvements in market capitalisation. One of the most notable achievements occurred in February 2026, when market capitalisation increased by N17.6 trillion in a single month. This represented the largest monthly gain ever recorded in the history of Nigeria’s capital market.
The SEC chief further revealed that investment activities on the Nigerian Exchange continued to strengthen. In April 2026, total domestic and foreign portfolio investments reached N1.803 trillion. This figure represented a 3.35 percent increase compared to the previous month and a massive 274.05 percent rise from the N482 billion recorded in April 2025.
Market transactions have also expanded significantly. Between January and April 2026, total transactions in the market reached N5.952 trillion. This was more than twice the N2.714 trillion recorded during the same period in 2025, highlighting the growing level of participation by investors.
Agama described these developments as clear evidence of the growing strength of Nigeria’s capital market and its increasing contribution to the nation’s economy. He noted that the sector accounted for about 33 percent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2025, reflecting its importance as a driver of economic growth and investment.
Another encouraging sign is the rise in foreign investor participation. The share of foreign investments in Nigerian equities increased from 9.9 percent in 2023 to 22.2 percent in 2025. This recovery suggests that international investors are gradually regaining confidence in the Nigerian market.
While celebrating these achievements, Agama stressed that there is still room for further expansion. He explained that the introduction of the T+1 settlement cycle is expected to improve market efficiency, increase liquidity, and make Nigeria a more attractive destination for global investors.
However, he noted that the shorter settlement period will require market operators, especially smaller firms, to modernise their systems and strengthen their operational processes.
Looking ahead, the SEC plans to launch the Nigerian Capital Market Master Plan 2.0 between June and July. The initiative is expected to introduce new strategies and innovations aimed at sustaining growth, improving market competitiveness, and attracting even more investment into Nigeria’s capital market.
