The Group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group), Alhaji (Dr.) Umaru Kwairanga, has called on stockbrokers and other capital market professionals to prioritise the effective deployment of mobilised capital into productive sectors of the economy to drive sustainable growth and national prosperity.
Kwairanga made the call while delivering a goodwill message at the 30th Annual Stockbrokers’ Conference of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), held in Lagos from November 4 to 5, 2026.
Speaking on the theme, “From Capital Mobilised to Prosperity Realised: Financing Nigeria’s Next Era of Growth and Global Competitiveness,” he said Nigeria’s development ambitions required substantial long-term investments in infrastructure, industrial capacity, technology, agriculture and other productive sectors.
He noted that the capital market had a fundamental role in mobilising savings, attracting investments and directing funds towards businesses and projects capable of generating sustainable economic value.
However, the NGX Group chairman stressed that the success of the capital market should not be measured solely by the volume of funds raised or transactions executed, but also by the economic impact of such investments.
According to him, the real value of capital mobilisation lies in the businesses it supports, employment opportunities it creates and its contribution to the broader economy.
“The distinction between capital mobilised and prosperity realised is an important one. We must also consider how effectively capital is deployed, the businesses it supports, the employment opportunities it creates and its contribution to the broader economy,” he said.
He urged investment professionals to be proactive in identifying viable investment opportunities and guiding entrepreneurs and administrators on accessing the capital required to exploit them.
Kwairanga reaffirmed NGX Group’s commitment to developing a market environment that promotes efficient capital formation, broadens investor participation and strengthens Nigeria’s attractiveness as an investment destination.
He said improvements in market infrastructure, the expansion of digital investment channels and initiatives to enhance accessibility were creating opportunities to connect capital with productive enterprises.
He, however, emphasised the need for credible institutions, efficient market structures, sound corporate governance and a regulatory environment capable of inspiring confidence among local and international investors.
The NGX chairman described stockbrokers as indispensable to the development of the capital market, noting that their responsibilities extended beyond facilitating transactions to providing professional guidance, supporting investment decisions and strengthening investor confidence.
He urged practitioners to embrace technological innovations while maintaining professional integrity, sound judgement and investor protection standards.
On regional market integration, Kwairanga highlighted the importance of the African Exchanges Linkage Programme (AELP) and the recently concluded Dangote Refinery Initial Public Offering (IPO), saying both developments demonstrated the potential for Nigerian market operators to expand their reach beyond the country’s borders.
He encouraged stockbrokers who had yet to participate in the AELP initiative to take advantage of the programme as part of efforts to develop a deeper and more integrated pan-African capital market.
He also called for stronger connections between Nigeria’s capital market and the global financial system, particularly as African economies seek to expand regional trade, industrial capacity and cross-border investments.
According to him, achieving Nigeria’s economic potential would require sustained cooperation among securities exchanges, regulators, market operators, policymakers and professional institutions.
Kwairanga further charged the CIS to sustain its role in equipping market professionals with the knowledge, skills and ethical standards required to strengthen the credibility and growth of the Nigerian capital market.
He congratulated the Institute on its 30th annual conference, commending its leadership and members for their contributions to professional development, industry engagement and the advancement of the nation’s capital market.
The conference brought together stockbrokers, financial market operators, regulators, policymakers and business leaders to examine strategies for mobilising capital and financing Nigeria’s next phase of economic growth.
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