Nigeria's SEC inaugurates securities issuers forum

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in collaboration with the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) is set to inaugurate the Securities Issuers Forum via webinar.

This was stated by the SEC in a statement released in Abuja weekend.

The Commission said the event which will hold on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, is expected to have in attendance chief executive officers and company secretaries of public companies.

“The objectives of issuers forums among others are to: Maintain regular contact with the regulator and policymakers: Advise the regulator and policymakers on regulations affecting companies/issuers and conduct research, organize conferences, roundtable discussions and other events for the benefit of members” SEC stated.

Also, the forum is to promote sound corporate governance and ethical conduct among members: promote healthy competitiveness among members and maintain an enabling business environment by monitoring issues of direct relevance to members.

According to the SEC, the need for a forum for issuers has become apparent in order to enable issuers to monitor and respond to developments in financial regulation and/or government policies.

“The forum will also serve as a medium of regular engagement between SEC and issuers of securities in order to address challenges, improve the business environment and enhance the contribution of the capital market to the growth of the Nigerian economy.

“It is expected that with the establishment of SIF, SEC will be better positioned to engage issuers on capital raising opportunities to facilitate increased participation in the capital market, development of new products to meet funding needs and addressing issues relating to compliance with regulatory requirements. In all, SIF has the potential to shorten the distance between SEC and issuers of securities,” SEC stated.

The establishment of SIF has the potential for far-reaching direct and indirect impact on other stakeholders by the provision of a wider range of investment opportunities and portfolios for investors, improved access to capital to fund expansion projects and new ventures, deepening and broadening the capital market and increasing its contribution to the nation’s development.

Iheanyi Nwachukwu

Iheanyi Nwachukwu, is a creative content writer with almost two decades journalism experience writing on banking, finance, capital markets, and tax. The multiple awards winning journalist is Assistant Editor, BusinessDay. Iheanyi holds BSc Degree in Economics from Imo State University; Master of Science (MSc) Degree in Management from University of Lagos. Iheanyi has attended several work-related trainings including (i) Advanced Writing and Reporting Skills (Pan African University, Lagos); (ii) News Agency Journalism (Indian Institute of Mass Communication {IIMC}, New Delhi, India); and (iii) Capital Markets Development and Regulations (International Law Institute {ILI} of Georgetown University, Washington DC, USA). Other trainings Iheanyi attended include: Economic/Political Risk Analysis (By Thomson Reuters Foundation); International Financial Journalism (IFJ) (By PMA Media Training, UK); Effective Business Writing Skills (By Phillips Consulting); Reporting on Corporate Governance (By International Finance Corporation (IFC) & Thomson Reuters Foundation UK); etc. In addition, he has participated in high-level economy & markets events in Dubai, South Africa, Morocco, and other African countries like Zambia, Ghana and Gambia.