The Securities and Exchange Commission and industry experts on Monday called for stronger participation of women in Nigeria’s capital market, stressing that female professionals play a critical role in strengthening financial institutions and expanding investor confidence.
The call was made during the commemoration of International Women’s Day at the SEC headquarters in Abuja, where regulators and financial experts emphasised the need for greater female leadership, financial literacy and investment participation across the financial ecosystem.
In his keynote address, the Director-General of the SEC, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, said women had consistently served as pillars of the Nigerian capital market and deserved greater recognition for their contributions to the growth of the financial system.
Agama said the commission had witnessed the resilience, commitment and leadership of women across different roles in the organisation and the broader capital market.
“Today, this morning, the Securities and Exchange Commission is celebrating the women who stand as pillars to the Nigerian capital market,” he said.
He added that female professionals had shown remarkable strength and passion in advancing the development of the market.
The SEC boss noted that women had played an important role in shaping his professional journey, revealing that his most influential mentor during his more than two decades at the commission was a woman.
“I can proudly say, even as the Director-General of the SEC, that my main mentor at the SEC was a woman. She taught me the crucibles of the capital market. She taught me with passion, with integrity and with values,” he said.
He also highlighted the contributions of several women who had held key leadership positions in the commission, including former SEC Director-General Arunma Oteh, former Acting Director-General Mary Uduk, and other female leaders within the organisation.
Agama said women within the commission continued to provide strong professional support that had helped drive institutional progress.
He urged men to recognise the importance of women in shaping society and supporting professional growth.
Also speaking at the event, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of MoneyWise International, Toyin Alabi, called on women to strengthen their financial decision-making and actively participate in investment opportunities within the capital market.
Alabi said many women still faced challenges in financial empowerment despite working in financial institutions or related sectors.
“Truthfully, a lot of women don’t have the right empowerment in terms of the aspect of finance,” she said.
According to her, building financial independence requires women to go beyond earning income and begin to focus on savings, investment and wealth creation.
Alabi noted that many professionals understood the importance of investing but often failed to develop the discipline required to sustain long-term financial growth.
“Personal finance is 20 per cent knowledge and 80 per cent behaviour,” she said.
She also warned women against fraudulent investment schemes and emphasised the importance of informed financial decisions.
“The first rule of investing is that if there’s any iota of doubt or a possibility that money will be lost, don’t invest,” she added.
Alabi urged women to adopt long-term financial planning strategies and cultivate saving habits that would enable them to build sustainable wealth.
“Saving money may not make you rich, but it gives you peace of mind,” she said.
In her special remarks, the Executive Commissioner for Legal and Enforcement at the SEC, Frana Chukwuogor, said women working within the capital market regulator had demonstrated remarkable resilience, professionalism and integrity.
Chukwuogor said women within the organisation were making a significant impact not only professionally but also within their families and communities.
She also urged participants to contribute positively to society by supporting education and combating financial fraud.
Chukwuogor further challenged participants to actively expose fraudulent investment schemes.
Also speaking, the Executive Commissioner for Operations at the SEC, Bola Ajomale, said women played a fundamental role in shaping society and building strong institutions.
Ajomale said the commission was deliberately creating opportunities for women to thrive within the organisation and the broader capital market.
He further emphasised the importance of female leadership and mentorship within organisations.
Ajomale noted that women often brought unique perspectives and thoughtful analysis to decision-making processes.
The event formed part of activities marking the 2026 International Women’s Day celebration, with participants emphasising the need to strengthen women’s inclusion and influence within Nigeria’s capital market and broader financial system.