SEC says N753bn raised via commercial papers in five months
Nigeria’s capital market raised more than N753 billion through commercial paper issuances between April and October, reflecting strong investor confidence, according to Emomotimi Agama, director-general of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
In an interview on Sunday, Agama said the funds mobilised through commercial papers helped meet short-term financing needs across key sectors, including manufacturing, energy, and agriculture.
He noted that the debt market also recorded major milestones during the period, citing the establishment of a N500 billion climate financing vehicle and a N200 billion Elektron Finance bond issuance as evidence of rising interest in infrastructure development and sustainable finance.
“These figures go beyond statistics; they show confidence in our regulatory framework and the strength of our market structure,” Agama said.
According to him, the performance of the commercial paper market formed part of broader capital-raising activities approved by the commission across debt, equity, and short-term instruments within the review period.
“Between April and October 2025, the commission approved several significant transactions, demonstrating the market’s ability to mobilise capital to support economic growth,” he said, adding that these developments are critical to positioning the capital market as a driver of sustainable development.
Agama also pointed to Nigeria’s credit rating upgrade and its removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list as factors that improved investor sentiment and reinforced confidence in the economy.
He urged capital market operators to take advantage of easing inflation to develop innovative financial products, stressing that innovation must move beyond ideas to implementation.
“The era of passive observation has passed. We must actively seize these opportunities and strengthen the capital market as a platform for inclusive growth,” he said.
Commenting on market performance, Agama attributed the N6.54 trillion decline recorded in November to profit-taking ahead of the proposed 30 percent capital gains tax. However, he noted that the market recovered following policy assurances and remains positive on a year-to-date basis.
