Nigeria’s quest to become a $1 trillion economy by 2030 will require disciplined, coordinated, and strategic implementation of the Investments and Securities Act (ISA) 2025, a capital market expert has said.
Speaking at the 2025 annual conference of the Capital Market Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CAMCAN) in Lagos, Group Managing Director of GTI Capital, Abubakar Lawal, said the Act must evolve from a policy framework into a functional catalyst for national economic growth.
Lawal, who was represented by the Managing Director of GTI Capital, Kehinde Hassan, emphasised that clarity, consistency, and collaboration among regulators, operators, and market stakeholders are essential if the Act is to serve as a foundation for Nigeria’s trillion-dollar aspiration.
According to him, the country has reached a defining stage where fragmented initiatives or isolated reforms will no longer suffice.
He stressed that the implementation of ISA 2025 must be harmonised with the Revised Capital Market Master Plan to prevent regulatory overlaps and policy contradictions.
“What Nigeria requires now is a unified roadmap, one that integrates ISA 2025 into the broader architecture of the nation’s economic vision,” he said.
Lawal maintained that with disciplined execution, strong institutional cooperation, sustained public enlightenment, and responsible innovation, Nigeria could surpass the $1 trillion economic milestone while securing long-term socio-economic gains.
He added that coordinated action would enable the country to emerge as a continental and global model for innovation-led and inclusive economic development.
Describing ISA 2025 as a transformative reform, he noted that the legislation provides not only regulatory guidelines but also structures and opportunities capable of accelerating national progress.
However, he cautioned that well-crafted laws become ineffective without deliberate follow-through by stakeholders. He urged regulators to act with fairness and foresight and encouraged operators to embrace innovation anchored on responsibility.
The GTI Capital chief also highlighted the need for extensive investor education to unlock the Act’s full value.
Awareness campaigns, he said, must be broadened to ensure that investors understand their rights, entrepreneurs discover new opportunities, and citizens are aware of the protections within the updated regulatory framework.
Highlighting major provisions of ISA 2025, Lawal pointed to the legal recognition of digital and virtual assets, classification of investment contracts as securities, expanded categories of eligible issuers, establishment of specialised exchanges, broadening of non-interest instruments such as sukuk, strengthening of commodities exchanges, and enhanced regulatory powers for the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
He said these reforms collectively support Nigeria’s $1 trillion target and deepen youth inclusion, especially through the recognition of digital assets.
With over 60 percent of Nigerians under 30, he described youths as digital natives whose creativity and technological expertise can power the country’s next wave of economic growth.
ISA 2025, he noted, finally provides this demographic with legitimacy and meaningful engagement within the financial system.
Lawal concluded that if Nigeria approaches the reform era with unity and determination, the country will not only reinvent its economy but also inspire Africa by demonstrating what is possible when ambition aligns with decisive execution.
Comment here