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…As NGX Invest drives N2.8trn capital raise, 2m retail investors onboarded
By Uche Usim
The Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, Temi Popoola, has called for a shift in Nigeria’s capital market focus from mere wealth generation to inclusive, sustainable and responsible wealth creation driven by strong governance and wider participation.
Speaking at the 2026 Nairametrics Capital Market Awards in Lagos, Popoola said the long-term strength of Nigeria’s economy would depend not only on its ability to create wealth but also on how that wealth is generated, distributed and sustained.
Addressing regulators, investors, market operators and business leaders, he described the capital market as a vital engine for economic growth, capable of mobilising capital into productive sectors, supporting innovation, creating jobs and fostering long-term development.
According to him, the conversation around wealth creation must evolve beyond profitability to include questions of inclusiveness, transparency and societal impact.
“When we talk about wealth creation, the question is no longer whether wealth can be created. The more important question is how it is created, who participates in it, and what impact it leaves behind,” Popoola said.
He noted that global investment flows are increasingly favouring markets that demonstrate resilience, transparency and sound governance structures, stressing that investor confidence remains a key determinant of capital attraction.
“In this environment, potential is not enough. What attracts capital is confidence in institutions, governance and market integrity,” he stated.
Popoola said responsible wealth creation requires businesses, investors and regulators to move away from short-term profit motives and embrace accountability, transparency and long-term value creation.
He also emphasised the importance of financial inclusion, arguing that the capital market can only achieve its full potential when investment opportunities are accessible to a broader segment of the population.
“A strong capital market is one that broadens access and participation across geography, gender, age and background. Wealth creation only becomes meaningful when it is widely accessible,” he said.
The NGX Group chief highlighted the growing participation of retail investors in the market as one of the most encouraging developments in recent years, attributing the trend to improved financial literacy, technological innovation and increased access to investment platforms.
He cited the success of NGX Invest, the Exchange’s digital platform for primary market offerings, which played a significant role during the banking sector recapitalisation exercise.
According to Popoola, the platform facilitated capital raises exceeding N2.8 trillion and helped onboard more than two million retail investors in 2025.
“Beyond the numbers, this demonstrated how technology can democratise access to investment opportunities and connect more Nigerians directly to wealth creation,” he said.
He further observed that sustainability considerations are increasingly influencing investment decisions globally, with investors paying closer attention to environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards alongside financial performance.
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Despite prevailing economic challenges, Popoola expressed optimism about Nigeria’s long-term growth prospects, citing the country’s youthful population, entrepreneurial culture and expanding innovation ecosystem.
However, he stressed that these strengths must be complemented by stronger institutions, policy consistency and improved investor confidence.
“Capital markets have a critical role to play by mobilising long-term capital, supporting business expansion and connecting innovation with investment,” he said, while calling for deeper collaboration between public and private sector stakeholders to strengthen market infrastructure and accelerate economic transformation.
Earlier, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Nairametrics, Ugodre Obi-Chukwu, said the awards were established to recognise excellence, resilience and innovation within Nigeria’s capital market ecosystem while encouraging responsible wealth creation.
He noted that despite global economic uncertainties, tighter financial conditions, exchange-rate volatility and domestic economic pressures, Nigeria’s capital market had remained resilient over the past year.
According to him, increased retail participation, stronger investor confidence, improved corporate earnings, innovative financial products and a growing emphasis on transparency and governance have contributed significantly to the market’s performance.
“These achievements did not happen by chance. They are the result of the deliberate efforts of regulators committed to market integrity, operators focused on innovation, issuers building sustainable businesses, investors making long-term commitments and professionals working tirelessly behind the scenes to keep the ecosystem moving forward,” Obi-Chukwu said.
He explained that the theme of the 2026 awards, “Capital Markets as a Pathway to Responsible Wealth Creation,” reflects the growing recognition that wealth creation must be sustainable, ethical and capable of delivering long-term value.
“Wealth creation must go beyond short-term gains. It must be sustainable, inclusive, ethical and capable of creating lasting value for individuals, businesses and society at large,” he added.
Obi-Chukwu also underscored the importance of financial journalism in deepening investor education and strengthening market development.
“Accurate financial journalism, data-driven analysis and investor education remain essential pillars for market development,” he noted.
Both speakers agreed that recognition platforms such as the Nairametrics Capital Market Awards play an important role in promoting excellence, strengthening market standards and encouraging best practices across the financial ecosystem.
At the awards ceremony, MTN Nigeria Plc emerged as Company of the Year and also won Utilities and Infrastructure Company of the Year. Zenith Bank Plc was named Tier-One Bank of the Year (FUGAZ), while Wema Bank Plc won Commercial Bank of the Year.
Other major winners included Seplat Energy Plc, which secured both Energy Company of the Year and Dividend Paying Company of the Year awards; AIICO Insurance Plc as Insurance Company of the Year; Guinness Nigeria Plc as Consumer Goods Company of the Year; Lafarge Africa Plc as Industrial Goods Company of the Year; and Transcorp Group as Diversified Company of the Year.
The Nigerian Exchange Limited won Exchange of the Year, while the Securities and Exchange Commission received the Market Reforms Initiative of the Year award. The Capital Market Award was presented to the National Pension Commission in recognition of its contributions to the development of Nigeria’s capital market.
