Stockbrokers Urge Students To Seize Opportunities In Digital Assets, Cryptocurrency

The president and chairman of Council of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Oluropo Dada, has urged Nigerian students to position themselves for the future of finance by embracing professional certification and emerging opportunities in the capital market, particularly in digital assets and cryptocurrency.

Dada made this call in his opening remarks at the CIS-Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech) Career Talk, held in Lagos.

He explained that, “the Nigerian capital market is at a defining moment, going by the recent amendments to the Investments and Securities Act (ISA). The formal recognition of digital assets and cryptocurrency as Exchange-Traded Products have come as a landmark reform that integrates digital finance into Nigeria’s mainstream capital market and aligns the country with global best practices.”

The rector of Yaba College of Technology, Dr. Engineer Abdul, represented by the deputy rector (Academic), Dr. Engineer Badmus, commended the Institute for its initiative in encouraging students to acquire practical knowledge of finance and investment at an early stage, and assured the Institute of a stronger collaboration in advancing this objective

Dada expressed appreciation to the Management of Yabatech for its sustained partnership and institutional support, describing the college as ‘a pride of Nigeria’s educational system’ with a long-standing reputation for excellence, innovation, and the production of industry-ready graduates.
He noted that, the collaboration with CIS is strategically focused on preparing young Nigerians for the future of work and wealth creation.

Speaking on the mandate of the Institute, he stated that the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers is the statutory professional body responsible for the training and certification of securities and investment professionals in Nigeria.

According to him, the Institute’s role extends beyond examinations to building competence, ethical standards, and global relevance within the Nigerian capital market.

He explained that, under the amended law, CIS members are now professionally empowered to trade, manage, and advise on digital assets and cryptocurrency products, positioning CIS-certified professionals at the centre of one of the fastest-growing segments of global finance.

These opportunities, he noted, span digital asset trading, blockchain-enabled investment products, tokenised securities, and fintech innovation.

Dada encouraged them to take advantage of the Certified Securities and Investment Support Specialist (CSISS) programme, which allows undergraduates to begin their professional journey in the securities and investment industry while still in school. He described the programme as flexible, fully digitized, and designed to provide a strong foundation in capital market operations, investment support services, and emerging areas such as digital assets.

Group executive director, Assets Management, CardinalStone Partners Limited, Elile Olutimayin, spoke on ‘Diverse Investment Opportunities in the Nigerian Capital Market with Smart Assets’ Tool’, the registrar and chief executive, CIS, Ayorinde Adeonipekun, addressed the students on ‘Prospects for young undergraduate students in the securities and investment Profession through Certified Securities and Investment Support Specialist (CSISS) Certification’.

Head of Banking and Finance Department, Dr Adebola Adebisi made remarks on the benefits of Investment Club.