SEC restrategises to boost youth participation in stock market

As part of efforts to deepen the market and make it more robust, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has unveiled plans to develop a focused strategy that would attract the younger generation to the capital market.

There have been concerns about the waning interest of millennials who are increasingly turning to alternative investment options in financial technology and the cryptocurrency market.

Despite years of uptick and stability in the stock market, many Nigerian youths have continued to shun the market for investment in virtual currencies, online bets and international stocks.

The Director General of the SEC, Dr Emomotimi Agama, said the commission, through technology adoption, has deployed a podcast that targets the younger generation.

According to Agama, the initiative is a subset of the capital market radio, an information dissemination tool that allows everyone to hear, learn and understand capital market investment.

He said the commission would also deploy the use of various applications for investor education and sensitisation to increase the accessibility of the younger ones who are good with technology and phones.

He also noted that the commission is restarting its engagement with the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) members to educate them on various investment opportunities in the capital market.

The commission is currently discussing with the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) on how to infuse capital market investment into the educational curriculum, he said.