the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, Temi Popoola, has stated that Nigeria’s capital market should evolve beyond wealth generation to promoting prosperity that is inclusive, sustainable and anchored on strong governance.
Speaking at the 2026 Nairametrics Capital Market Awards in Lagos on Friday night, Popoola said the long-term strength of the Nigerian economy would be determined not only by its capacity to create wealth but also by how such wealth is generated, distributed and sustained.
Addressing regulators, investors, market operators and business leaders, he described the capital market as a vital channel for directing capital into productive sectors, fostering innovation, creating employment opportunities and supporting long-term economic growth.
“When we talk about wealth creation, the question is no longer whether wealth can be created. The more important question is how it is created, who participates in it, and what impact it leaves behind,” he said.
Popoola observed that global investors are increasingly allocating capital to markets that exhibit transparency, resilience and sound governance. “In this environment, potential is not enough. What attracts capital is confidence in institutions, governance and market integrity,” he stated.
According to him, responsible wealth creation demands a move away from short-term gains towards sustainable value creation, with businesses, investors and regulators embracing accountability, transparency and long-term planning.
He further emphasised inclusion, noting that the full benefits of market development can only be realised when investment opportunities are available to a broader segment of society.
“A strong capital market is one that broadens access and participation across geography, gender, age and background. Wealth creation only becomes meaningful when it is widely accessible,” he said.
Popoola identified growing retail investor participation as one of the most encouraging developments in the market, attributing it to improved financial literacy and advances in digital innovation.
He pointed to the success of NGX Invest, the Exchange’s digital platform for primary market offerings, which played a significant role during the banking sector recapitalisation exercise. According to him, the platform facilitated capital raises of more than N2.8tn while bringing over two million retail investors on board in 2025.
“Beyond the numbers, this demonstrated how technology can democratise access to investment opportunities and connect more Nigerians directly to wealth creation,” Popoola said.
He added that sustainability is increasingly influencing investment decisions worldwide, with investors paying greater attention to governance standards, environmental sustainability and social impact in addition to financial performance.
Popoola expressed optimism about Nigeria’s long-term outlook, citing its youthful population, entrepreneurial culture and expanding innovation ecosystem. He, however, stressed that these strengths must be complemented by stronger institutions, policy consistency and enhanced investor confidence.
“Capital markets have a critical role to play by mobilising long-term capital, supporting business expansion and connecting innovation with investment,” he said.
He also called for deeper collaboration between the public and private sectors to improve market infrastructure and accelerate economic transformation.
Earlier, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Nairametrics, Ugodre Obi-Chukwu, said the awards were established to celebrate excellence, resilience and innovation within Nigeria’s capital market ecosystem while encouraging responsible wealth creation.
He noted that despite global economic uncertainty, tighter financial conditions, exchange-rate volatility and domestic challenges, the Nigerian capital market had demonstrated resilience over the past year.
According to Obi-Chukwu, the market has benefited from rising retail participation, stronger investor confidence, improved corporate earnings, innovative financial products and a greater focus on transparency and governance.
“These achievements did not happen by chance. They are the result of the deliberate efforts of regulators committed to market integrity, operators focused on innovation, issuers building sustainable businesses, investors making long-term commitments and professionals working tirelessly behind the scenes to keep the ecosystem moving forward,” he said.
He noted that the theme of this year’s awards, “Capital Markets as a Pathway to Responsible Wealth Creation,” reflects the growing recognition that wealth creation must be sustainable, ethical and capable of delivering long-term value.
“Wealth creation must go beyond short-term gains. It must be sustainable, inclusive, ethical and capable of creating lasting value for individuals, businesses and society at large,” Obi-Chukwu said.
He also highlighted the importance of financial journalism in advancing investor education and market development. “Accurate financial journalism, data-driven analysis and investor education remain essential pillars for market development,” he noted.
Both speakers agreed that recognition platforms such as the Nairametrics Capital Market Awards contribute to strengthening market standards by rewarding excellence and promoting best practices.
The awards recognised outstanding performers across Nigeria’s capital market ecosystem. MTN Nigeria Plc emerged as Company of the Year and also won Utilities & Infrastructure Company of the Year, while Zenith Bank was named Tier-One Bank of the Year (FUGAZ), and Wema Bank won Commercial Bank of the Year.
Other notable winners included Seplat Energy Plc, which secured both Energy Company of the Year and Dividend Paying Company of the Year; AIICO Insurance Plc as Insurance Company of the Year; Guinness Nigeria Plc as Consumer Goods Company of the Year; Lafarge Africa Plc as Industrial Goods Company of the Year; and Transcorp Group as Diversified Company of the Year.
The Nigerian Exchange Limited won Exchange of the Year, while the Securities and Exchange Commission received the Market Reforms Initiative of the Year award. The Nairametrics Capital Market Award was presented to PENCOM in recognition of its contribution to the development of Nigeria’s capital market.
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