Capital Market Operators Get January 31 Deadline To Renew Licences

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued a January 31, 2026 deadline for capital market operators to renew their licences.

The SEC stated that capital market operators are to renew their registration from January 1 to 31, 2026.
In a bid to make the process as seamless as possible, the Commission disclosed that it will commence electronic receipt and processing of applications for registration and updates of registration information in the first quarter of 2026.

The director-general of the SEC, Dr. Emomotimi Agama stated this during an interview in Abuja weekend.
According to Agama, these initiatives reflect our commitment to leveraging technology for faster, more transparent, and efficient regulatory processes. The Commission is taking deliberate steps to streamline regulatory processes, make them faster, more transparent, and technology-driven. We are investing in automation, data-driven supervision, and secure infrastructure to enhance our market interactions.

The SEC Boss stated that through its Digital Transformation Portal, the Commission has automated the end-to-end registration and licensing process, allowing operators to submit applications, upload documents, and track approvals online. This automation cuts down on manual processing time and reduces the need for physical visits.

He said the Commission had also rolled out the commercial paper issuance module, which allows operators to file documents, monitor progress, and receive approvals electronically, while feedback from early users shows a clear improvement in turnaround time.

“Work is ongoing to automate quarterly and annual returns submissions, with structured templates and system checks to ensure accuracy. A returns analytics dashboard is also in development to support risk-based supervision and exception reporting.

“At the same time, we are strengthening data integrity and cybersecurity with vulnerability assessments and planned penetration testing once automation and migration phases are stable. These efforts show our commitment to building a modern, resilient regulatory environment that supports efficiency, investor confidence, and market stability,” he stated.

Agama affirmed that the Nigerian Capital Market is clearly on a path toward digital transformation, adding that there is an urgent need for regulatory clarity on advanced technologies, targeted support for smaller firms, and capacity-building initiatives.

He said, “A phased and proportionate approach to regulating emerging technologies such as AI is essential, complemented by internal readiness through supervisory technology tools. Furthermore, investor education, particularly among younger demographics, will be critical to future-proof participation and drive fintech adoption.

“Innovation is vital, but it must be accompanied by responsibility. As operators embrace automation, artificial intelligence, and data-driven tools, they bear a responsibility to ensure the ethical, secure, and compliant deployment of these technologies. Safeguarding investor data, preventing market abuse, and maintaining operational resilience are non-negotiable.”

The SEC DG said that ultimately, responsible technology adoption is about building trust, saying that trust thrives on fairness, transparency, accountability, and regulatory compliance.

He urged operators to uphold these principles, adding that it would not only protect investors and systemic stability but also strengthen the long-term credibility and competitiveness of the Nigerian Capital Market.