Economy
SEC Reiterates Role of Technology in Efficient Capital Market
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has said that technological innovations will enhance the efficiency and transparency of the capital markets around the world.
The Director-General of the commission, Mr Lamido Yuguda, said this in a goodwill message at the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited. Capital Market Conference held in Abuja on Tuesday.
He said that technology could make it easier for investors and market professionals to identify opportunities and conduct their businesses in a timely and cost-efficient manner.
The theme of the conference was The Future Ready Capital Market: Innovating for Nigeria’s Sustainable Recovery.
Mr Yuguda said that the capital market globally plays a strategic role, not only in allocating scarce resources but in harnessing the huge investment opportunities in agriculture, infrastructure, oil and gas, natural resources and other sectors of the economy.
He said: “Nigeria like most other countries in the world experienced weak growth in their economies as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Nigerian economy is just recovering from the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a Gross Domestic Products (GDP) growth rate of 4.03 per cent in the third quarter of this year from a contraction of 6.10 per cent in the second quarter of 2020.
“To sustain this trajectory, overcome some of the negative impacts of the pandemic and achieve the objectives of the developmental plans of the government, the capital market needs to continuously produce innovative products, platforms and processes.
“Innovation plays a critical role in the development of any capital market as it increases the market chances of reacting to changes, and enables discovery of new opportunities.”
Mr Yuguda said that the International Organisation for Securities Commission (IOSCO) acknowledges that the use of technological innovations by market operators could potentially create significant efficiencies and benefits for firms and investors, including increasing execution speed and reducing the cost of investment services.
“However, IOSCO also notes that this use may create or amplify certain risks, which could potentially have an impact on the efficiency of financial markets, resulting in consumer harm.
“As the apex body responsible for regulating and developing the Nigerian capital market, SEC has strengthened market rules and regulations with the introduction of responsive rules and the amendment of existing ones to mitigate some of the risks posed by technological innovations.
“With a three-pronged objective to regulating innovations hinged on safety, markets deepening, and solution to problems, our regulations, are enabling, accommodating and futuristic.
“They also ensure adherence to our core regulatory mandates of investor protection and market development,” he said.
Furthermore, he stated that the SEC had put mechanisms in place to understand relevant innovations, build required capacity and subsequently deploy strategies to address them, adding that this process was ongoing and the Commission was deeply committed to this new phase and face of the capital market.
Mr Yuguda also said that the SEC had revamped its enforcement mechanism and enforced its zero-tolerance against infractions in a bid to improve investors’ confidence in the market and to optimally perform its investor protection mandate as evidenced in the Commission’s aggressive fight against unlawful investment schemes, which in recent times had plagued the financial markets.
“We have also committed resources to enhancing our processes through fortification of our ICT infrastructure in the areas of Registration, Returns Rendition and Analytics.
Given that the advent of Financial Technology had changed how traditional capital market activities are being conducted, the SEC had embraced Fintech, and as such, had redefined its regulatory landscape to accommodate fintech-related capital market activities.
“To this end, we have developed rules on crowdfunding, Robo-advisory and Digital Sub-broking. In addition, we have developed a ’Regulatory incubation framework, which will be implemented in due course.
“To align our market with the global focus on sustainable financing, the SEC released its guidelines to the market on sustainable financial principles to guide regulated entities on how to establish relevant standards and policies for their respective organisations,” he stated.
On his part, the NGX Chairman, Mr Abubakar Mahmoud, said that as the order of globalisation continues to stir the world’s economies, it had become pertinent for stakeholders to appraise the issues and forge ahead.
Mr Mahmoud said: “The theme of the conference is indeed apt and timely, in view of the emerging collaborations, strategic alliances and developments in the Nigerian capital market, especially as Nigeria works toward a sustainable post-COVID-19 recovery.
“As the order of globalisation continues to stir the world’s economies and new unprecedented issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic, it is pertinent for all stakeholders to appraise the situation to forge ahead with a collaboration journey toward sustainability and prepare for the future of our nation,” he said.
He also identified the capital market as the best funding source to tackle the huge infrastructure deficit in the country.
Mr Mahmoud noted that increasing taxes was a disincentive as the move placed more burdens on the citizenry.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Analysts at Coronation Research have said the inflation rate in Nigeria would be at 15.95 per cent on a year-on-year basis in April 2026 as a result of the “energy price shock stemming from the continued conflict in the Middle East, seasonal issues in regard to food prices and relative exchange rate stability.”
In a note sighted by Business Post on Friday, the research arm of the organisation further disclosed that the average price of goods and services for the month under review should rise by 2.35 per cent on a month-on-month basis versus 4.18 per cent in March 2026, reflecting continued food price firmness, offset by a cooling in the monthly inflation momentum as the March energy price shock partially unwinds.
It said the projected 2.35 per cent inflation rate signals a return toward the underlying disinflation trajectory and could be a pivotal data point in shaping Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) deliberations at the next policy meeting.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is expected to release inflation numbers for last month later today. In March 2026, the rate soared by 15.38 per cent, triggered by the war in Iran waged by the United States.
Food inflation rate in March stood at 14.31 per cent on a year-on-year basis versus 25.22 per cent in the same month of last year, but on a month-on-month basis, it slowed to 4.17 per cent from the 4.69 per cent achieved in February 2026.
This was attributed to the rate of change in the average prices of Yam, Ginger (Fresh), Cassava Tuber, Groundnuts (Shelled), Irish Potatoes, Avenger (Ogbono/Apon) – Dried Ungrinded, Tomatoes (fresh), Cassava Flour sold loose, etc, according to the stats office.
In their report, Coronation Research expects food inflation to further ease, as food and non-alcoholic beverages remain the dominant contributor to headline CPI, accounting for about 40 per cent of the CPI basket.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange further depreciated by 0.33 per cent on Wednesday, May 14, with the Unlisted Security Index (NSI) down by 13.76 points to 4,130.21 points from the previous day’s 4,143.97 points, and the market capitalisation dropping N8.23 billion to close at N2.471 trillion compared with Wednesday’s N2.479 trillion.
The unlisted securities market ended yesterday’s session with four price losers and one price gainer, led by Food Concepts Plc, which chalked up 9 Kobo to sell at N2.35 per unit, in contrast to midweek’s closing price of N2.26 per unit.
On the flip side, FrieslandCampina Wamco Plc depreciated by N1.58 to quote at N144.76 per share versus N146.34 per share, Central Securities and Clearing System (CSCS) Plc crumbled by N1.00 to trade at N71.00 per unit versus N72.00 per unit, First Trust Mortgage Bank Plc slid by 25 Kobo to N2.27 per share from N2.52 per share, and UBN Property Plc declined by 21 Kobo to N2.04 per unit from N2.25 per unit.
During the trading day, the volume of securities traded decreased by 70.2 per cent to 417,349 units from 1.4 million units, the value of securities dropped 36.9 per cent to N23.2 million from N36.8 million, and the number of deals stumbled by 13.9 per cent to 31 deals from 36 deals.
At the close of trades, Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) Plc remained the most active stock by value on a year-to-date basis, with 3.4 billion units valued at N8.4 billion, followed by CSCS Plc with 60.7 million units exchanged for N4.1 billion, and Okitipupa Plc with 27.9 million units traded for N1.9 billion.
GNI Plc was also the most active stock by volume on a year-to-date basis, with 3.4 billion units worth N8.4 billion, followed by Resourcery Plc with 1.1 billion units sold for N415.7 million, and Infrastructure Guarantee Credit Plc with 400 million units sold for N1.2 billion.
Economy
Mobile-First Platforms Like DeFi Hash Reflect Growing Investor Interest in AI-Driven Cloud Infrastructure and Automated Digital Asset Engagement
As the cryptocurrency market enters a new phase of global growth, investor behavior is moving beyond the “buy and hold” strategy common in previous cryptocurrency cycles. Across the digital asset industry, a growing number of users are exploring AI-driven cloud infrastructure, automated computing systems, and mobile-based digital engagement models.
Industry analysts say the convergence of AI and blockchain infrastructure is becoming one of the defining trends of 2026.
With the accelerating global demand for AI computing resources, technology companies around the world are investing heavily in cloud infrastructure, data centers, and intelligent automation systems. Meanwhile, blockchain-based infrastructure platforms are increasingly positioning themselves at the intersection of decentralized finance, cloud computing, and AI-driven resource management.
Among the many emerging platforms, DeFi Hash is attracting significant attention. DeFi Hash is a mobile-centric digital infrastructure platform focused on intelligent cloud computing services and automated infrastructure engagement.
The Transition to AI-Driven Digital Infrastructure
For years, many cryptocurrency investors have relied primarily on market appreciation and speculative trading opportunities. However, the evolving market environment and the rapid development of artificial intelligence are prompting a shift towards infrastructure-centric platforms that offer alternative participation models.
Users no longer need to purchase expensive mining hardware or manage physical systems; instead, they are increasingly seeking simplified, mobile-accessible solutions for remote participation in digital infrastructure.
DeFi Hash states that its platform aims to lower traditional barriers to entry by combining cloud architecture, automation, and distributed infrastructure systems to create a seamless user experience. These platforms are accessible via mobile devices and web platforms.
According to company information, the platform has attracted over 3.5 million registered users globally.
Flexible Participation Options
To encourage new user onboarding and streamline the access process, DeFi Hash offers various infrastructure participation models and cloud-based automated contracts.
The company states that new registered users receive promotional rewards upon registration and can participate in an entry-level program designed for short-term participation.
The platform also offers various infrastructure contract categories designed to meet the needs of different participation levels.
Stable Return Contracts
Contract Range: $500 – $2,600
Estimated Daily Return: $6.25 – $36.40
Contract Duration: 7 – 15 days
Estimated Total Return: $43 – $546
Professional Profit Contracts
Contract Range: $5,000 – $15,000
Estimated Daily Return: $77.50 – $270
Contract Duration: 20 – 25 days
Estimated Total Return: $1,550 – $6,750
Advanced Long-Term Profit Contracts
Contract Range: $30,000 – $150,000
Estimated Daily Return: $570 – $3,750
Contract Duration: 30 – 45 days
Estimated Total Return: $17,100 – $168,750
The company states that users can choose one or more participation options based on their own strategies and goals.
The convergence of artificial intelligence and blockchain is expected to accelerate.
Industry insiders believe that the integration of artificial intelligence infrastructure and blockchain-based computing networks may become one of the most influential technological developments in the coming years.
With the global proliferation of artificial intelligence, the demand for scalable computing resources and automated digital infrastructure services is expected to continue to grow. Platforms integrating blockchain, cloud computing, and intelligent automation technologies will play an increasingly important role in shaping the future digital economy.
DeFi Hash states that its goal is to make cloud projects more accessible to ordinary users worldwide while continuously expanding its AI-driven infrastructure ecosystem.
For more information, please visit the company website or mobile app download page.
Official Website: https://defihash.com/
Mobile App Download: https://defihash.com/download/
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