Nigeria’s Minister for Youth Development, Olawande Emmanuel Ayodele, has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to give young Nigerians wider access to the capital market.
According to the minister, this agreement is designed to change the long-standing perception that the capital market is reserved only for the wealthy.
“For too long, many young people saw the capital market as something distant, meant only for the rich. But today, we are making it clear: the capital market belongs to every Nigerian young person,” Ayodele said.
The partnership is expected to provide Nigerian youth with valuable knowledge and practical training. This will help them understand how to save, make investments, and build sustainable businesses.
“This partnership will deliver gainful knowledge and practical training to Nigerian youth, which they can use to leverage their saving, investments, and build businesses that will shape our economy for generations,” he added.
Highlighting the broader goal of the initiative, the minister emphasized wealth creation and entrepreneurship. “What we are doing with this collaboration with SEC is to create wealth, build investors; and support young entrepreneurs across our nation,” Ayodele explained.
He also commended the Securities and Exchange Commission for working with the ministry to promote financial literacy and youth empowerment. “I deeply appreciate the Security and Exchange Commission for this important partnership and call on other stakeholders, both in government and the private sector, to join us in raising a generation of financially smart, empowered, and confident young Nigerians,” he stated.