Nigeria Becomes First African Capital Market To Adopt T+1 Settlement Cycle

The Nigerian capital market achieved a historic milestone by successfully transitioning to a T+1 settlement cycle, becoming the first market in Africa to implement the shortened settlement framework.

Speaking at the T+1 Settlement Cycle Transition Ceremony held yesterday in Lagos, the director-general of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr Emomotimi Agama, described the development as a defining moment in the market’s evolution.

“The era of T+1 has begun. In just six months, Nigeria has successfully advanced from T+2 to T+1 settlement, joining a growing group of markets embracing faster, more efficient settlement cycles. This achievement signals that Nigeria is prepared to undertake the structural reforms required to compete for global capital,” Agama said.

He added that the reform aligns Nigeria’s capital market with global best practices, where shorter settlement cycles are increasingly being adopted to improve post-trade efficiency, reduce counterparty risk, and strengthen investor confidence.

He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to continued modernisation of market systems and processes.

The group chairman of NGX Group, Alhaji Umaru Kwairanga, described the transition as a key step in the ongoing transformation of Nigeria’s capital market.

He said the development underscores the shared commitment of stakeholders to strengthening market institutions, deepening investor confidence, and enhancing the market’s role in supporting economic growth and capital formation.

“Milestones such as this reinforce confidence in our institutions and demonstrate our collective determination to build a more efficient and globally competitive capital market,” he stated.

The chairman of Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc, Temi Popoola, said the transition represents a critical step in the broader evolution of Nigeria’s capital market.

He noted that while the achievement marks a significant milestone, it is part of a longer journey toward building a deeper, more liquid, and more globally competitive market capable of supporting sustained economic growth and capital formation.

The managing director/chief executive officer of CSCS Plc, Shehu Shantali said the milestone reflects the strength and operational readiness of Nigeria’s post-trade ecosystem.

He noted that the new settlement cycle would enhance transaction speed, improve liquidity efficiency, and reduce settlement exposure across the market.

“This transition is far more than a reduction in settlement timelines. It represents a strategic upgrade to market infrastructure and reinforces our commitment to building a more efficient, resilient, and globally competitive capital market,” he said.

The transition follows six months of coordinated industry-wide preparations involving regulators, exchanges, depositories, custodians, registrars, and other market participants, positioning Nigeria among global markets adopting shorter settlement cycles to improve post-trade efficiency and market resilience