Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group), Temi Popoola, has emphasised the importance of institutional collaboration, policy consistency and international financial connectivity in strengthening Nigeria’s capital market and attracting sustainable long-term investment.

At the Nigeria–Asia Financial Connectivity Dialogue hosted by J.P. Morgan and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in collaboration with NGX Group and FMDQ Group, held in Singapore, Popoola said the resurgence in capital formation across Nigeria and Africa presented an opportunity to attract more investors and deepen capital markets’ contribution to economic growth.

He described the current wave of investment as a significant development for the continent, noting that Nigeria and other African economies are currently recording levels of capital formation not seen for a long time.

He added that advancing Nigeria’s capital market would require stronger collaboration among stakeholders, stressing that the task was a collective responsibility that must be pursued through partnerships rather than isolated efforts.

Popoola underscored the importance of coordinated institutional action in advancing market development and translating Nigeria’s economic and financial-market reforms into sustained investor confidence.

According to him, liquidity, foreign-exchange stability and policy consistency remain central to international investors’ assessment of the market.

He also highlighted the potential to attract more companies to the capital market, particularly across underrepresented sectors such as agriculture, technology, infrastructure and healthcare.

Nigeria’s recent market developments, including the transition to a T+1 settlement cycle in June 2026 and its reclassification to Frontier Market status by FTSE Russell in September, present opportunities to strengthen international accessibility and enhance the country’s investment proposition.

In a separate fireside chat, CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, underscored the importance of investor confidence in sustaining long-term capital flows.

“The real test of reform is not whether you can attract capital once; it is whether you create the confidence for capital to stay, return and grow,” he said.

He also identified credible monetary policy, stronger governance, improved market functioning and predictable regulation as essential to sustained investment.