Chairman of Senate Committee on Capital Market, Osita Izunaso, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for taking a bold step toward realising his vision of a $1 trillion economy by 2030 with the signing of the Investment and Securities Act (ISA) 2025.
The new Investment and Securities Act 2025 repeals the Investment and Securities Act 2007 and introduces key reforms aimed at boosting investor confidence, strengthening market oversight, and aligning Nigeria’s financial markets with global best practices.
Tinubu had, during his 2023 presidential campaigns, promised to build a jumbo-sized economy, aiming for a $1 trillion GDP by 2030.
Speaking to newsmen at the National Assembly, yesterday, Izunaso, who sponsored the legislation, described the law as a sweeping reform of Nigeria’s financial regulatory framework, positioning both the money and capital markets for sustainable growth.
According to him, the Act establishes a more robust legal structure aligned with international best practices, saying that a defining feature is the official recognition of digital assets, including cryptocurrency, as securities.
“This move brings Nigeria’s rapidly growing digital asset market under the regulatory oversight of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), ensuring transparency, investor protection, and a structured pathway for cryptocurrency trading.
“For the first time in our history, digital assets are now recognised as legitimate securities, Nigeria ranks among the top three countries globally in cryptocurrency transactions. With this new regulatory framework, we can now harness its full economic potential,” Izunaso said.
One of the Act’s most significant provisions is its tough stance on financial fraud, including Ponzi schemes and insider trading, according to Izunaso.
“Under the new law, individuals found guilty of operating Ponzi schemes face up to 10 years in prison, fines ranging from N20 million to N40 million, and mandatory recovery of stolen funds. Additionally, insider traders and market manipulators will face strict penalties, including licence revocation,” he said.
Additionally, he indicated that the law would strengthen the powers of the Investment and Securities Tribunal, ensuring swift resolution of disputes in the capital market.
