The Federal Government has reaffirmed the vital role of Nigeria’s capital market in achieving its goal of a $1 trillion economy by 2030.
Speaking on Monday, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, called on capital market stakeholders to boost investor confidence, enhance financial literacy, and prepare for the upcoming Investment and Securities Act 2025, as well as the launch of the Capital Market Master Plan 2030.
Edun made the call during the 2025 First Capital Market Committee Meeting, organized by the Securities and Exchange Commission in Lagos.
Represented by the Honourable Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, Edun emphasized the strategic importance of Nigeria’s capital market in realizing the Federal Government’s vision of becoming a $1 trillion economy within the next decade.
He stressed that the capital market must serve as the main vehicle for mobilizing long-term financing across key sectors including infrastructure, housing, manufacturing, technology, and energy.
“This vision is overdue. Nigeria had the potential to reach this milestone 20 years ago,” he stated.
“With the reforms we’ve undertaken, including fuel subsidy removal, FX harmonization, and tightening of the fiscal framework, the foundation is now set for private capital to power growth.”
The Minister underscored the difficulties in absorbing capital and providing clear exit routes, calling for strong frameworks that enable both foreign and local investors to enter and exit the market with ease.
“The real question we must ask is: If a billion-dollar investment enters this market, do we have the structure for it to exit smoothly? Until we can answer that, we can’t claim the market is truly ready,” he added.
Edun urged market participants to move beyond capital raising and leverage the market as a true instrument for wealth creation and inclusive development.
He also proposed the creation of a Market Literacy Fund to reinforce the SEC’s open-door policy and enhance investor education.
“We’ve done the reforms. The time has come to implement. Let us build a rule-based, resilient market that unlocks growth for all Nigerians,” he emphasized.
The World Bank recently expressed concerns that Nigeria’s present economic growth pace may fall short of the federal government’s goal of reaching a $1 trillion economy by 2023.
This observation was made in its latest Nigeria Development Update report, titled ‘Building Momentum for Inclusive Growth.
