In what is fast becoming an eyesore in Abuja, the nation’s seat of power, sub-standard schools built primarily for money-making now dot the landscape of most satellite towns in the FCT. With the education inspectorate doing little or nothing to address the menace, stakeholders fear that the practice may harm a system already struggling with the scourge of multi-layered neglect. DIRISU YAKUBU reports!
education is seen largely as both a service and a right. It is the responsibility of the government across all tiers to dispense education to the citizenry, whose right it is to embrace. Difficult as it is to enumerate its mileage in a single report, it suffices to suggest that the biggest weapon in the armoury of Nigeria’s foremost nationalists and Africa’s freedom fighters was the education they had, which enabled them to dare the colonial imperialists, forcing the latter to relinquish power reluctantly.
So big is the harvest of a good quality education that the Sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the then Premier of the Western Region, made education compulsory and free for children, many of whose parents could not afford fees and other payments required to keep their wards within the four walls of an educational institution.
The near collapse of governance at all levels in subsequent years culminated in the fall of education standards, forcing well-to-do parents to withdraw their children and wards from public schools for enrollment in private institutions.
With improved earnings over the years, many parents took the private schools’ option, given their ability to pay more remuneration to teachers while exposing pupils and students to better-teaching models and other extra-curricular activities.
The patronage of private schools, needless to state here, has seen education morph from a service to business ventures. Across major cities in Nigeria, including Abuja, the seat of power, those who have no expertise in school administration have, with a combination of greed and crass opportunism, set up schools, targeting the children of low-income earners, to earn a living.
In most of the satellite towns in the FCT, schools lack basic infrastructure, and qualified manpower and recreational facilities are a common sight today. With government officials either playing the ostrich or abdicating their duties, enforcement of standards has thus been relegated to the background.
In a tour of some ‘schools’ in Abuja, The PUNCH uncovered a litany of rot, ranging from the engagement of semi-literate teachers to the absence of libraries, laboratories, sports facilities, to name just a few.
Findings revealed that the school proprietors, while charging relatively high fees, pay their teachers peanuts, citing the harsh economic realities of the times.
At Leaders Academy Drive, off Tiga Street, Kurudu, Abuja Municipal Area Council, is a three-bedroom apartment housing a family of four. It is a middle-class residential building, plastered but not painted. On this fateful Tuesday morning, a sharp voice emanating from a store in this building got the attention of this correspondent.
To his surprise, a young lady reading out Nigerian States and their capitals announced to a class of four children an impending examination to test their mastery of what she had taught them thus far.
Surprised that a school was being run in such a location, this reporter took a few steps in the direction of the young teacher, and this conversation ensued.
“Good morning, madam. How are you doing today? You run a school here?,” I asked her.
Good morning, sir. Yes, we are just starting,” she replied. “Our target is the young children who are old enough to be in school now, but due to one reason or another, are not. Things are tough for many families, and we are trying to make sure that we have in place a system that can be of assistance to these young children and their parents.”
Then I went further by asking to know if it was a conventional school she set out to run.
“Interesting! I will be right to say this is not a formal school but an arrangement to get these young minds engaged, preparatory to having them enrolled in a conventional school.”
She replied, “It is a conventional setting, sir. From here, their parents can take them straight to basic four or five and after a year or two, they will proceed to junior secondary school. I have ten pupils here of different ages. They did not start at the same time, and I don’t teach them the same thing.”
When I asked which curriculum they used in teaching the kids, she added, “I teach them the things I believe they should know. I teach them English, Mathematics, Civics Education, Christian Religious Studies and Basic Science. We are not using any curriculum for now.”
On the affordability of her arrangement, she replied, “We have an agreement with the parents. I am also a bit careful because there are basic requirements for setting up a school. The parents love what I do here, and they support me. I don’t want to speak in detail about fees or whatever you call it.”
She refused to state whether she was a trained teacher or not, when this correspondent asked to know. Instead, she stated her love for teaching endeared her to the project.
“I will go back to school. It is my love for teaching that inspired me to start this. I will go back to school soon. Like I said, these children are very young. I am just trying to teach them basic things they should know at this stage of their lives,” she added.The story of this unnamed “school” resonates across many communities in the Federal Capital Territory. Taking advantage of a system with a near-zero disposition to the enforcement of basic standards, individuals with little or no training in education set up ‘schools’ that can best be described as business centres.
Still in the Kurudu District, the story is slightly better at the Lifespring Academy, which runs nursery/primary and secondary schools.
At Lifespring, the school lacks a modest space required for the sporting needs of the students. As it were, students here make use of public fields at the Local Education Authority Primary School for their interhouse sports and other outdoor activities.
A man who simply identified himself as Mr Joshua told our correspondent that though Lifespring is an upgrade on other schools in the vicinity, it suffers from a lack of adequately trained manpower needed for imparting knowledge.
He said, “Everything is turning to business, and we should be worried. Here (Lifespring), one is surprised to see that they have an SSCE and NECO accreditation centre. That is their biggest bargaining chip. They will tell you that their accreditation status indicates the high rating they enjoy in the books of the Federal Capital Territory Administration authorities.
“We must not manage two things: education and health. If health and education facilities are substandard, let us not expect much to reap thereafter. What is happening is that business is winning, but services are neither here nor there.”
Lifespring Academy, Kurudu, Federal Capital Territory
A trip to the Ivy Academy, Kpeyegi, revealed a similar pattern of poor standards and lack of trained manpower. A pre-nursery, nursery, and primary school, Ivy Academy boasts a handful of skilled teachers and several school certificate holders.
At the Graceland International Academy, Orozo, a magnificent edifice, paints a phoney picture of efficiency on how things ought to be done.
The PUNCH’s findings, however, revealed a litany of shady deals, including the poor payment of teachers, some of whom have complained to no avail.
“While the management of the institution frequently announces an increment in the fees paid by the students, the same does not reflect in the remuneration of teachers who do the bulk of the work,” a young woman who declined to be named told our correspondent.
According to her, “These people see themselves as destiny helpers and in a way, they are right. They make you feel that you are indebted to them for life for allowing you to earn a living. So, you have no power to influence things and a staff member, you also have to be careful because colleagues who are into eye service can betray you,” she added, without providing further explanation.
Perhaps, the worst of these private schools is the Potter’s Legacy Ville Academy, Anka. Located along the Karu/Orozo/Karshi expressway, one can be carried away with the allure of its beautiful name.
Exposed to multiple dangers, including security threats and noise pollution, the unfenced school is certainly where everything happens except conducive learning. Without a gate, the school, as well as its pupils and teachers, are exposed to the threat of abduction, invasion, and all forms of criminal activities.
Needless to state here, the school is an employer of poorly-trained teachers, who are only too glad to be earning a living with the little knowledge they can dispense.
At the City Royal Junior and Secondary Schools, Nyanya, Abuja, the major challenge identified by our correspondent is the lack of a playing field for extra-curricular activities for both teachers and students.
“Without striking a balance between education and sports, “a Mathematics teacher, Mr Haruna Kebe, argued that the needed psychological equilibrium needed to excel may prove a huge challenge for students.
While noting that education has gone beyond the rendering of essential services, Kebe frowned at the influx of businessmen into the sector, who merely built schools for the sole purpose of financial gain.
He said, “People are setting up schools as business ventures. Many of them are not educationists, but they are in the business of running schools everywhere. In some cases, residential buildings are converted to schools. They are tapping into a gap in the system to make the argument that they are also creating jobs. These people don’t care about standards. This is a grave concern we must address as a nation,” he said.
Haruna
He further lamented the absence of a sports field for the physical development of children in the areas of football and track events, saying, “Most of them don’t have the environment for sporting activities, and this is one of the requirements for setting up a school.”
The Maths teacher, who has taught the subject in different schools, further revealed how the lack of standards makes it easier for school proprietors to enslave teachers, taking advantage of the scarcity of jobs in the country.
“Most of the teachers are overworked. In the last school I taught (name withheld), I was teaching Mathematics from JSS 1-3, taking SS1 students in Physics and handling Basic Science for JSS1-3 Basic Technology. You can see that they don’t care about the staff’s mental health. They are only interested in what comes into their pockets,” he added.
He also faulted religious bodies for setting up schools that they cannot manage.
“The churches are establishing schools because through these schools, they make money to run the churches. I have no issue with well-run schools owned by churches. But a situation where a church struggling to find its feet also sets up a school simultaneously leaves much to be desired,” he added.
Qualification
“How many teachers are qualified? There are very few. But I don’t think a Bachelor’s degree in Education is the main thing, because some of these so-called qualified teachers are not better than those who do not have degrees in education. I have a B.Sc in Mathematics and a National Diploma in Chemical Engineering, but I have a passion for teaching. I see it as my calling. I have been in teaching, off and on, since 2007, but I don’t think a B.Ed holder in Mathematics will look me in the eyes and tell me he is a better teacher than I am. I will not accept it,” he added.
“What they pay the teachers is nothing to write home about. The money is very small compared to their workload. Before now, school owners in Abuja were paying N15,000 for NCE holders, N20,000 for B.Sc. This was before inflationary pressure forced them to have a rethink. Some of the schools now pay holders of B.Sc N30,000 a month, especially those who are not in the sciences.
“In the last school I taught, the owner paid N30,000, and she deducted N2,000 each from those monthly salaries until it accumulated to N30,000. This amount was kept for each other, and anytime they wanted to leave, they were required to give a month’s notice. It’s this N30,000 that would be given to him or her in full anytime they choose to walk away. But if a teacher chooses to leave without a month’s notice, the N2,000 deductions would be forfeited.
“But as a Science teacher, I earned twice what my counterparts in the Arts were earning. The money is not encouraging. But the standard schools pay as much as N70,000 to N80,000 a month,” he explained.
Unskilled teachers
Accoroding to the Mathematics teacher, “Most of the school owners prefer school certificate holders as teachers because they are comfortable with the little token they pay them. The graduates demand higher salaries. In most of the schools, the school certificate and NCE holders are more in number compared to graduates because it costs less to retain their services.
“In the last place I taught, the proprietor retained me because she was bent on having an SSCE/NECO centre accredited for her. One of the requirements for having this centre approved for you is that your teachers must be well-educated. You must have at least five or six B. Ed or BSc holders before a NECO centre will be approved for a school. When the officials came to inspect the place, we were the qualified teachers who stood in defence of the school. The NCE and SSCE holders stayed away.”
A teacher in one of the privately-owned schools in Jikwoyi, identified simply as Chidi, called on the FCTA education inspectorate department to take its job seriously, noting that some of the schools operating in the nation’s capital today have no business existing in the first instance.
He said, “Ultimately, it is the future of the young ones we are jeopardising by sharp practices happening in these so-called schools. I know a man who turned the three-bedroom flat built for him by his son in Lagos into a private school. He goes around telling gullible parents that God instructed him to start a school.
FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike
“Being an evangelist, it is understandable that people are listening to him. What shocked me more was that with time, some parents withdrew their children from their schools and enrolled them at the there-bedroom apartment turned school.”
Asked how the evangelist cum educationist is paying the teachers, he was temporarily lost for words before continuing, “That is the interesting part of the story. He brainwashed some young people in his church into believing that the school is God’s project. When he collects fees from the pupils, he pays the teachers. At times, he pays when his son sends him money. This is how the place is run.”
Speaking exclusively with The PUNCH, school proprietor, Mustapha Haruna, urged those with genuine interest in running schools to abide by due process and avoid cutting corners.
Haruna, who runs the Discovery International Academy, Suleja, Niger State, described education as the finest gift a nation can bequeath to the younger generation, stressing that anyone desirous of owning a school to build the lives of young minds must be prepared to go the whole distance.
Lamenting the influx of Nigerians into the system who have no training in school administration, Mr Haruna warned that if left unchecked, such a system may end up doing more harm than good.
In an interview with our correspondent, The Imiegba, Edo-born school proprietor said, “One needs to be passionate about education. It is not about making money. If you are making money and not impacting the lives of the pupils and students, you have not started, and you have no reason to remain in the system.”
For a country desirous of joining the league of advanced nations, education is a sector too significant to be left in the hands of unskilled men whose interest lies not in quality service delivery but in profit-making. From basic to secondary school education, the government, including federal, sub-national, and local, must take decisive steps to address the looming danger threatening the progress of the Nigerian state.
The equities market began the week in the red as the All-Share Index of the Nigerian Exchange fell by 1.26 per cent to close at 145,159.77 points on Monday.
The decline wiped off about N1.17tn from investors’ wealth, dragging market capitalisation down to N92.3tn.
According to market data, the downturn was driven largely by heavy sell pressure on Dangote Cement, which fell by a maximum of 10 per cent, alongside declines in tier-1 banks including Zenith Bank (-1.64 per cent), Access Holdings (-3.26 per cent), and FBN Holdings (-2.76 per cent).
Despite the negative close, market breadth stood positive, with 28 gainers outperforming 24 losers. Sovereign Insurance (+9.97 per cent) led the gainers’ chart, while Dangote Cement and Enamelware, both down 10 per cent, topped the losers’ list.
Market activity normalised after last Friday’s unusually large turnover, driven by off-market crosses in Cornerstone Insurance. Total volume traded declined sharply by 92.1 per cent to 388.2 million units, while total value traded fell by 26.3 per cent to N31.1bn. Tantalizer emerged as the most traded stock by volume with 57.1 million units, while Aradel Holdings dominated the value chart with N21.5bn worth of trades, accounting for 69 per cent of total market value. Recall that Tantalizer on Friday announced the signing of a multi-million-dollar deal with a US-based firm for a period of five years to export premium prawns and shrimps.
Trading remained largely bearish across most sectors. The InHHHdustrial Goods Index led sector declines, down 4.48 per cent, primarily due to weakness in Dangote Cement.
The Oil & Gas Index fell by 1.18 per cent with losses in Oando and Aradel, while the Banking Index dropped 1.01 per cent. The Consumer Goods Index edged down 0.02 per cent. In contrast, the Insurance Index closed positively, rising 0.07 per cent, supported by gains in Sovereign Insurance.
Cowry Asset Management, in its daily market note, attributed Monday’s downturn to profit-taking activities among investors. The firm noted that the drop in market capitalisation occurred despite the listing of 1.96 billion ordinary shares of Chams Holding via private placement, underscoring the depth of the sell pressure.
The investment house added that trading patterns reflected heightened retail activity. Although total trading volume plunged 92.64 per cent to 360.6 million units and value dropped 26.88 per cent to N30.9bn, the number of deals rose 15.83 per cent to 27,975, indicating increased participation through smaller-sized transactions.
Meanwhile, the October inflation data released by the National Bureau of Statistics indicated that Nigeria’s inflation continued its deceleration, moderating to 16.1 per cent year-on-year in October, compared with 18.0 per cent in the prior month.
This moderation was evident in the food and core baskets, which both settled at 13.1 per cent YoY and 18.7 per cent YoY, respectively (vs 16.9 per cent and 19.5 per cent in September). However, on a MoM basis, headline inflation rose by 0.9 per cent vs 0.7 per cent recorded in the prior period.
With more than 30 years of experience across financial journalism, capital market operations, education, and strategic communications, Sola Oni stands as a prominent figure in Nigeria’s investment landscape. A former spokesperson for the Nigerian Stock Exchange (now NGX) and a Fellow of both the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers and the Institute of Capital Market Registrars, Oni discusses with OLUWAKEMI ABIMBOLA the importance of minority investors in market growth and other emerging developments in Nigeria’s financial sector
The capital market has witnessed several developments recently, from the transition to a T+2 settlement cycle to the recognition of digital assets such as cryptocurrency. How do you assess these changes and their implications for the market and the wider economy?
The commencement of the Central Securities Clearing System operations on 14 April 1997, established a central depository with an electronic clearing and settlement system. It began with T+5 (Transaction Day plus five working days). In 2000, CSCS advanced to T+3, the settlement cycle it has maintained to date.
Before this milestone, the Nigerian capital market relied on a manual clearing and settlement system, which was entirely paper-based. Investors were issued physical share certificates as proof of ownership, a process fraught with numerous challenges. Clearing and settlement could take weeks or even months due to manual document verification. Registrars were required to authenticate share certificates, which were physically delivered for ownership transfer and register updates.
The manual process was susceptible to theft, administrative bottlenecks, high transaction costs, reconciliation errors, fraud, and forgery. As a dynamic institution, CSCS is now set to launch a T+2 clearing and settlement cycle on 28 November. All stakeholders are prepared for this historic event, which will be inaugurated by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The ultimate goal is to achieve T+1, which is already the standard in several advanced markets. This means that if you buy or sell securities today, payment and ownership transfer will be completed the following day. Markets such as the Toronto Stock Exchange in Canada, Bolsa Mexicana de Valores in Mexico, NSE and BSE in India, and the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges in China already operate this benchmark.
Let me add that T+0 is uncommon, as it requires real-time cash and securities availability. It can reduce liquidity since funds and securities are tied up immediately. Although a few markets, including China, the United States, and India, operate T+0, it is mostly limited to digital assets and certain money market instruments.
Many companies in the financial services sector are currently undergoing recapitalisation. How should minority investors position themselves to take advantage of this trend?
Minority investors, those owning less than 50 per cent of a company, are essential to every thriving capital market. Regardless of ownership size, every investor must begin with the basics: What is my investment objective? What is my risk tolerance? What is my time horizon? And what is my source of funds?
An investor who cannot answer these questions is simply taking uncalculated risks, which often end badly. As the financial services sector evolves, minority investors need to be strategic. A good starting point is understanding the investment policy of the target company and identifying growth segments with strong potential. These include undercapitalised mid-tier banks, emerging fintech firms, and high-performing insurance companies.
A minority investor’s objective should align closely with that of the target company. It is also prudent to focus on firms where recapitalisation can unlock regulatory reliefs, improve credit ratings, and strengthen growth capacity. Positioning in such companies enhances returns and provides a pathway to sustainable wealth creation. In a reform-driven and innovative market, the best opportunities often lie where growth and regulation converge in favour of investors.
Tax reforms are expected to take effect next year. What impact might these have on the capital market?
The ongoing work of the Presidential Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy Reforms, chaired by Mr Taiwo Oyedele, is generating significant interest across Nigeria’s economic landscape. Stakeholders believe that the committee’s recommendations will have far-reaching implications for businesses, investors, and the capital market as a whole.
In the capital market, taxation is a major determinant of competitiveness. It affects corporate earnings and, by extension, shareholder returns. For foreign investors, tax policy is often a critical factor in assessing a country’s investment appeal. Key taxes that directly affect investors include Capital Gains Tax, Withholding Tax on dividends, Transaction Taxes, and Stamp Duties.
However, there are growing concerns among market participants over the proposed increase in Capital Gains Tax from 10 per cent to 30 per cent, which could discourage high-net-worth individuals, institutional investors, and foreign portfolio investors. Analysts warn that such an increase might weaken market confidence and reduce overall investment inflows.
The capital market community therefore looks to the government to consider tax incentives and relief measures that can enhance Nigeria’s global competitiveness. Stakeholders continue to engage with Mr Oyedele and his team, seeking assurance that the reforms will foster growth while preserving investor confidence. Mr Oyedele has repeatedly emphasised that the reforms aim to promote fairness, transparency, and alignment with global best practices.
As the committee’s work progresses, we in the capital market are optimistic that the outcome will have a net positive impact, boosting investor sentiment and positioning Nigeria’s capital market for sustainable growth.
How would you assess Nigeria’s progress in developing a commodities exchange ecosystem?
Nigeria’s commodities exchange ecosystem is still largely untapped but brimming with potential. Encouragingly, awareness of the benefits of commodities exchanges is growing, driven primarily by private-sector-led initiatives.
For instance, in September, the Lagos Commodities and Futures Exchange listed N23.4bn worth of Eko Rice Classic Spot Contracts, a milestone in transforming Nigeria’s agricultural and commodities sectors.
One major source of optimism is the new Investment and Securities Act (2025), which has addressed previous policy gaps and formalised the country’s commodities ecosystem. The Act has strong potential to stimulate economic growth if effectively implemented.
Nonetheless, stronger regulatory support is needed. The government should consider making it mandatory for commodity producers and exporters to use exchange platforms. This would have a multiplier effect on GDP growth and boost foreign exchange earnings. It should also create an enabling environment for private-led commodities exchanges by supporting warehousing and logistics infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses and enhance token and receipt delivery.
With the number of minority investors on the rise, how crucial is investor education in sustaining market growth and promoting economic resilience?
Minority investors, those owning less than 50 per cent of a company’s shares, are key stakeholders in Nigeria’s capital market. Their protection and active participation are vital for building investor confidence and ensuring fair corporate governance.
Under the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020, SEC rules, and NGX listing requirements, minority investors are entitled to several rights that protect their interests and promote accountability.
They have the right to information, ensuring access to periodic financial statements, annual reports, and corporate disclosures, as well as rights to dividends, entry and exit, and protection from oppressive conduct by majority shareholders or directors. They can attend and vote at annual and extraordinary general meetings and participate in rights issues and bonus share offers, thereby preventing unfair dilution of their holdings. In cases of dispute, they can seek legal redress, including court petitions under CAMA for oppression, mismanagement, or unfair prejudice.
These provisions reflect the joint efforts of the SEC, NGX, and the Corporate Affairs Commission to promote transparency and investor protection. When listed companies respect these rights, they strengthen corporate reputation, improve liquidity, and attract both domestic and foreign investors.
Beyond rights, minority investors serve as critical checks and balances on boards and management. Through constructive engagement, asking questions, demanding accountability, and scrutinising decisions, they help uphold governance standards. Their participation in public offers, rights issues, and private placements also deepens liquidity and supports capital formation, which ultimately strengthens the economy.
Protecting minority investors is therefore not merely a legal duty but a strategic necessity for market growth.
A transparent, equitable system that safeguards all investors will enhance confidence and position Nigeria’s capital market as a globally competitive investment destination.
How do you envision Nigeria’s capital market evolving over the next five years?
Capital market development is a marathon, not a sprint. Over the next five years, I envision a market shaped by technology, innovation, and broader participation, particularly from millennials, Gen Z, and other digital natives.
The rise of digital platforms and the introduction of innovative investment products are likely to attract tech-savvy investors, expanding market reach and liquidity. More companies are expected to tap into the capital market for long-term funding, while the government may increasingly rely on market instruments to finance infrastructure projects.
With the CSCS set to commence T+2 settlement this month, the market will become more efficient and competitive in transaction processing.
We can also anticipate significant growth in the commodities ecosystem, with private-sector-led exchanges contributing to GDP expansion and boosting the global competitiveness of Nigerian agricultural products. The Over-the-Counter Exchange, led by NASD Plc, is also poised for increased activity as new products and strategies attract retail and institutional investors.
However, these projections depend on key factors such as the faithful execution of economic reforms, adoption of emerging technologies, and full implementation of the SEC’s Capital Market Master Plan and ISA 2025. With these in place, Nigeria’s capital market could evolve into a more inclusive, innovative, and globally competitive environment.
You began your career in journalism before transitioning into capital market operations and corporate communications. How did that journey unfold?
My transition into the capital market began in 1992 when my editor at The Guardian, Mr Jide Ogundele, sent me to the library to study the Financial Times of London for two days. Until then, I had covered multiple beats, Energy, Money Market, Aviation, Insurance, and Manufacturing, often producing front-page news.
At The Guardian, excellence was non-negotiable. Readers were largely middle-class and above, so one had to be exceptional in both reporting and writing to keep the job.
My first visit to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (now NGX) in 1992 was fascinating. Journalists watched from the gallery as stockbrokers shouted bids and offers on the trading floor, a system known as the Call-Over or Open Outcry. It was a vibrant, disciplined environment where trading, price discovery, and share allocation were meticulously coordinated.
After each session, journalists compared the Exchange’s Daily Official List with their records to ensure accuracy. Our reports influenced broker decisions, sparked debate, and even moved share prices, a reflection of how much the market depended on credible reporting.
Although the Call-Over System was engaging, it was also time-consuming and dependent on the Chairman’s discretion. Covering the capital market was demanding because it required understanding the broader economy, how macroeconomic variables influenced company performance and stock prices.
In 1994, I was briefly de-accredited by The Exchange, but The Guardian stood by me. By 1997, I joined The Exchange itself, and that same year, I won the Diamond Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting. I rose to management level, led a department, and contributed significantly to the organisation’s growth.
The Exchange invested in my training, I studied at the New York Institute of Finance, trained at the U.S. SEC’s International Institute for Securities Market Development in Washington D.C., and interned at the World Bank in Chicago.
Today, I am a Fellow of both the Institute of Capital Market Registrars and the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, as well as a member of the Commodities Brokers Association of Nigeria and the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment, UK.
I currently work as a public relations consultant, integrated communications strategist, and educationist, maintaining strong ties to the capital market. Journalism laid the foundation for my understanding of finance, governance, and market dynamics, skills that have shaped my entire professional journey.
If you could advise regulators and listed companies on one mindset shift, what would it be?
Both the apex regulator (SEC) and self-regulatory organisations play a crucial role in enforcing market rules and protecting investors. With rapid technological change, regulatory frameworks must evolve accordingly.
The Investment and Securities Act should be reviewed periodically to ensure that regulators stay ahead of market operators, addressing potential infractions before they escalate. Likewise, listed companies must strictly comply with post-listing requirements to maintain transparency and investor trust.
Ultimately, market growth depends on trust. Regulators and operators share responsibility for building and maintaining this trust. Regulators must enforce rules consistently, while operators, brokers, listed firms, and other participants, must act with integrity and provide accurate, timely information.
When investors are confident that the market is fair, transparent, and responsive, they are more willing to commit capital, which in turn fuels liquidity, growth, and long-term stability.
Looking back, what achievement are you most proud of in your capital market journey?
I have consistently advocated for policy reforms, highlighted structural and fiscal challenges, and promoted greater participation in the capital market through my writings and public commentary.
I am also passionate about mentoring the next generation of financial journalists, helping them to embrace accuracy, integrity, and professionalism. Through these efforts, I aim to encourage informed investing, strengthen governance, and contribute to building a more inclusive and resilient market ecosystem.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, Yomi Oluyomi, says the state has made history with the conclusion of the bookbuild for its landmark bond issuance that has recorded an overwhelming reception from the investment community.
In a statement on Monday, Oluyomi explained that the state offered a N200bn Conventional Bond and a N14.8bn Green Bond, both of which were significantly oversubscribed.
“The Conventional Bond, which is the largest ever issued by a non-corporate sub-national in Nigeria’s history, attracted subscriptions totalling N308bn, representing a 54 per cent oversubscription above the initial offer. Lagos State is the first sub-national government to issue an impact climate bond. The Green bond attracted N28.7bn – 94 per cent more than the target,” Oluyomi said.
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was quoted in the statement as saying, ”This is a reflection of the global confidence in Nigeria’s economy, fostered by the bold reforms initiated by President Bola Tinubu as reflected in the recent oversubscription of the Federal Government’s Eurobond.
“In Lagos, ours is a testament to our resilience and the unwavering support of our private sector partners who believe in our vision of building Africa’s model megacity that is safe, secure, and functional,” Sanwo-Olu said.
According to him, the state shall continue to ensure prudent financial management, accountability, and fiscal transparency as it continues to provide a conducive environment for businesses to grow. “Our dream is to make Lagos a global financial hub; we will keep our eyes on the ball,” he added.
The statement pointed out that the proceeds from these Bonds are earmarked to fund critical projects across the state, directly aligned along the line of the THEMES+ Agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
“These projects will focus on vital areas such as transportation, healthcare, education, and environmental sustainability, all aimed at significantly improving the livelihood and well-being of all Lagosians and securing a more prosperous and resilient future for the state,” it stated.
The “conventional bond” is a fixed-rate, long-term debt instrument issued by the Lagos State Government to raise capital from the domestic capital market.
Proceeds are used to fund infrastructure and social development projects across Lagos. Lagos State has a Debt Issuance Programme that allows it to issue bonds, notes, and other securities under a shelf registration.
