Economy
Tiameetup Conference Backs Financial Inclusion Driven by Investment
By Adedapo Adesanya
The need to elevate the Nigerian financial markets ecosystem to drive increased domestic and foreign investments which would serve as a catalyst for economic growth through financial inclusion was the premise around the 3rd Annual Tiameetup Conference held on Wednesday, October 16, 2019 in Lagos.
The event, organized by Trendonomics, was themed Financial Inclusion: Increasing Market Depth and Breadth and was held at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).
It saw leading industry experts, traders, investors, and analysts cover issues around the Nigerian economy to identify necessary opportunities and gain in-depth insights into how there can be expansion to meet the country’s financial inclusion target for 2020.
The event had presentations on corporate governance, Islamic financing for development, Agriculture and economic empowerment, Growth investment for stimulating market development, and the practical application of market data.
Director General of the Securities Exchange Committee (SEC), Ms Mary Uduk, who was represented at the event by Mr Afolabi Olowookere, the Divisional Head, Economic, Research and Policy Management Economic Analysis Division at SEC, noted that the commission was working with the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) to include capital market studies into Nigeria’s education curriculum from primary school all the way to the tertiary level.
He said that the knowledge of having this in the educational system would help deepen financial inclusion in the country.
He added that the commission was working on consolidation to curb multiple subscription so that people can claim their shares, which will boost trading and increase the inclusion rate of people coming into the market.
Speaking on corporate governance, Mr Sola Ephraim-Oluwanuga, the Independent director of the NPF Pensions Limited, noted that the lack of a credible corporate governance was a detriment to ensuring financial inclusion.
“Corporate governance is important because its procedures is good in management of firms by helping managers and boards to develop sound company strategy.
“If we have good corporate governance in place, those who have been excluded should be reached,” he said.
Speaking further, he said that the introduction of Payment Settlement Banks (PSBs) by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) could be leveraged upon because it will fast track the goal of financial inclusion to the set target by the end of next year.
During his presentation on the Islamic financing for development, Dr Aliyu Muhammad, the Deputy Director Training and Linkage at the International Institute of Islamic Banking said that Islamic finance has a lot of potential for curbing market uncertainties due to its conservative principles as it allows for no interests.
Tackling the issue of agriculture and its role in development and economic empowerment, Mr Ayodeji Balogun, the Regional Manager of AFEX Commodities Exchange represented by Mr Akin Yinka, noted that financial inclusion should not be left to commercial banks and the central bank.
He called for good initiatives to farmers which will enable them increase output and productivity which can bring further investment opportunities and in return bring about financial inclusion.
He hinted that over the next two months, certain products will be released into the capital market to enable youths to invest in agriculture.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The pre-registration training and examination for capital market operators (CMOs) for the second quarter of 2026 has been postponed.
Business Post gathered that the new date for the exercise is now Monday, June 15, 2026.
This information was disclosed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) through a circular on Monday, June 8, 2026.
The Nigerian capital market regulator stated that this postponement has also resulted in the extension of the deadline for registration to Friday, June 12, 2026.
In the notice today, the SEC expressed its regret for the inconvenience this action may cause operators, who had prepared for the initial date of the training and examination.
“Further to the recent circular on Q2 2026 Pre-registration Training and Examination, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) hereby informs all eligible applicants for the Q2 2026 Pre-registration Training and Examination that the commencement date has been postponed to Monday, June 15, 2026.
“Registration on the designated portal has also been extended to Friday, June 12, 2026. All other conditions contained in the circular remain unchanged.
“The commission regrets any inconvenience this postponement may cause and appreciates the understanding of all applicants,” the disclosure noted.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
One of the leading healthcare firms in Nigeria, Fidson Healthcare Plc, has listed additional shares on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited.
The new stocks absorbed into the stock market were 600 million units, raising the total issued and fully paid-up shares of Fidson to 3,000,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each from 2,400,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each.
The fresh equities came from the company’s rights issue of 600,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N35.00 per share.
They were issued to existing investors on the basis of one new ordinary share for every existing four ordinary shares held as of the close of business on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
Confirming the development, the regulator in a notice said, “Trading licence holders are hereby notified that an additional 600,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each of Fidson Healthcare Plc were on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, listed on the daily official list of Nigerian Exchange Limited.
“The additional shares arose from the company’s rights issue of 600,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N35.00 per share on the basis of one new ordinary share for every existing four ordinary shares held as at the close of business on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
“With the listing of the additional 600,000,000 ordinary shares, the total issued and fully paid-up shares of Fidson Healthcare Plc have now increased from 2,400,000,000 to 3,000,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
This news will surely excite local contractors with verified claims of N100 million or less, as the federal government has approved their payments.
This approval for the disbursement was given by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele.
This followed a verification and reconciliation exercise designed to ensure only validated claims qualify for payment.
The beneficiaries cover contractors across multiple ministries, departments and agencies. The release of the funds is expected to enable contractors to return to project sites, pay workers, settle suppliers and meet outstanding financial commitments.
In an announcement on Monday, the Federal Ministry of Finance also said this latest batch of payments would ease liquidity pressure on small businesses and accelerate economic activity nationwide.
It was noted that the payments for verified claims of N100 million below were strategically done to spread economic impact broadly rather than concentrate disbursements among a handful of large firms.
The payments form part of a broader push to clear inherited contractor obligations, with over N700 billion verified in recent months.
“For many beneficiaries, the release of funds represents more than a financial transaction. It provides the certainty needed to sustain operations, preserve jobs, complete ongoing projects, and contribute to economic recovery and growth,” the ministry said in a statement.
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