Capital Market Stakeholders Hail ISA 2025 as Catalyst for Nigeria’s $1 Trillion Economy
Written by Olakunle Oke on July 4, 2025
Leaders across Nigeria’s financial sector are celebrating the newly enacted Investment and Securities Act (ISA) 2025, describing it as a transformative legal framework that could propel the country toward a $1 trillion economy. The legislation, passed at the 2025 Annual Business Summit of the Capital Market Solicitors Association (CMSA) in Lagos, has been widely praised for its sweeping reforms and modernization of the capital market
At the summit, CMSA Chairman Odiaka Iweze described ISA 2025 as a “platform to reimagine the capital market,” emphasizing its role in promoting innovation and sustainable inclusive growth. His counterpart, Simisola Eyisanmi, noted that the act decisively opens up new channels for virtual securities, commodity exchanges, and bilateral markets, effectively codifying previous reform efforts .
Significant provisions within the act include the legal recognition of digital and virtual assets—such as cryptocurrencies, tokenised real estate, warehouse receipts, and commodity derivatives—as securities under SEC oversight. This regulatory expansion ensures greater transparency and improved investor protections across these emerging asset classe
Officials also highlighted ISA 2025’s enhanced safeguards: the creation of investor protection funds, stricter penalties for Ponzi schemes, and stronger whistleblower support. The act empowers the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to pursue prosecution of fraudulent operators, recover illicit gains, and provide restitution to affected investors
Market participants believe ISA 2025 has the potential to unlock fresh opportunities across sectors such as real estate, fintech, sustainable energy, and even structured commodity financing. With over 70 million Nigerians under 30-years-old currently underrepresented in capital market participation, stakeholders see enormous potential for broader economic inclusion and wealth creation
While the act marks a major milestone, experts acknowledge remaining challenges—particularly in cross-border securities regulation, fintech oversight, ESG disclosures, and class-action mechanisms. Nonetheless, there is a prevailing sense that ISA 2025 lays a critical foundation for Nigeria’s financial evolution and its aspirations to join the ranks of global $1 trillion economies
