The Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission Nigeria, Emomotimi Agama, has praised the role of women in the commission, stating that their contributions have played a significant part in the growth of the institution and the development of Nigeria’s capital market.
Agama made the remarks during the commission’s celebration of International Women’s Day held at the SEC headquarters in Abuja. The event was organised around the theme “Give to Gain.”
According to the SEC director-general, women working within the commission have continued to demonstrate dedication and professionalism in their duties, helping to strengthen the organisation’s operations and improve the performance of the capital market.
He noted that female staff members have not waited for opportunities to be handed to them but have taken the initiative to create their own paths within the institution.
“The women of the SEC have not waited for a seat at the table; they have built the table,” Agama said.
Agama explained that women in the commission have contributed their knowledge, experience, and commitment to ensure that Nigeria’s capital market remains strong, transparent, and accessible to more investors.
He commended women across various departments of the commission, including analysts, legal experts, compliance officers, and members of the leadership team.
Among those recognised were Executive Commissioners Frana Chukwuogor and Samiya Hassan Usman, as well as Non-Executive Commissioner Omolola Bridget Oloworaran.
“To the women of the SEC—from our analysts to our legal experts, from our compliance officers to our Executive Commissioners—I say this: your contribution is the bedrock of our success,” he said.
Agama added that the dedication of the women in the commission has enabled the organisation to respond effectively to economic changes while maintaining strong regulatory oversight of the capital market.
“They have given their intellect, their resilience, and their foresight to navigate economic shifts and regulate with a steady hand. In doing so, they have gained us a market that is more robust, more transparent, and more inclusive,” he said.
Speaking further on the theme of the celebration, Agama explained that “Give to Gain” reflects the impact women in the commission have made through their service and commitment.
According to him, when women contribute their expertise and skills to the financial system, the country benefits from a stronger and more efficient market.
In his remarks, the Executive Commissioner for Operations at the SEC, Bola Ajomale, also highlighted the important role women play in the workplace, particularly their ability to handle multiple responsibilities.
Ajomale said the commission remains deliberate in its efforts to support women and create opportunities for them to succeed within the organisation.
“Women are good at multi-tasking and in our determination to have a world-class capital market we need such skills and that is why we are deliberate about encouraging women to succeed here at the SEC,” he said.
He also encouraged female staff members to mentor younger colleagues and guide them as they develop their careers.
“We encourage our female staff to remember they have a duty to mentor those that have been placed under them,” Ajomale added.
He further urged staff to remain reflective and resourceful in their duties to help strengthen the commission and the capital market.
