The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Hon. Justice Kudirat M.O. Kekere-Ekun, has commended the enactment of the Investments and Securities Act, 2025, describing it as a transformative legal instrument that enhances regulatory clarity and strengthens investor protection in Nigeria.
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Speaking on Monday in Abuja during the 2025 Capacity Building and Interactive Workshop on Capital Market Law, Ethics, and Judicial Interpretation, Justice Kekere-Ekun urged judicial officers to give meaningful life to the new law by interpreting it in ways that reflect legislative intent, commercial logic, and ethical responsibility.
The workshop, organized by the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), drew judges of superior courts across the country for in-depth discussions on repositioning the Nigerian capital market.
Delivering her keynote address, the CJN highlighted the urgency and relevance of the workshop’s theme: “Repositioning the Nigerian Capital Market for National Economic Transformation Through Effective Dispute Resolution.”
“It calls on judicial officers to engage critically with the intersection of law and finance,” she said, “to understand the dynamics that undergird national prosperity, and to interpret with sensitivity the legal instruments that govern commercial relations in a modern economy.”
Justice Kekere-Ekun emphasized the importance of the capital market as a vehicle not only for economic growth but also for democratic participation and national stability.
“From pension contributors and fintech entrepreneurs to diaspora bond subscribers and small-scale investors, the capital market affects livelihoods, opportunities, and national competitiveness,” she noted. “It is not merely an economic mechanism—it is a democratic tool for wealth creation and national stability.”
While acknowledging the threats of fraud and regulatory manipulation, the CJN called on judges to serve not just as arbiters, but as “custodians of economic integrity and commercial justice.”
She also drew attention to the fast-evolving financial landscape, including developments in digital assets, cryptocurrencies, green financing, and cross-border securities.
“It is not sufficient to apply existing principles without adaptation,” she warned. “Nor must we yield to the illusion that novelty negates precedent. We must engage these emerging issues in a manner that preserves legal consistency while remaining responsive to evolving commercial realities.”
In his opening remarks, SEC Director-General Dr. Emomotimi Agama hailed the ISA 2025 as a landmark piece of legislation that marks a turning point in Nigeria’s financial regulatory framework.
“The ISA 2025 is a legislative success, a legal milestone, and a reform that ushers in a new era for our capital market,” Agama stated. “It reinforces investor confidence, strengthens regulatory frameworks, and enhances Nigeria’s standing in global markets.”
He commended the Executive and Legislative arms of government for their commitment to economic growth and financial stability, evidenced in the seamless passage of the Act.
Also speaking at the event, NJI Administrator Hon. Justice Salisu Garba Abdullahi described the workshop as timely and crucial to national development.
“The strength of our legal interpretations directly influences that of our capital market,” he said, “and the efficiency of our adjudication contributes significantly to the attractiveness of Nigeria as an investment destination.”
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