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Popoola Calls for Stronger Institutional Collaboration to Deepen Nigeria’s Capital Market
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Published 10/13/2026 8:09:16 AM
Popoola Calls for Stronger Institutional Collaboration to Deepen Nigeria’s Capital Market – THISDAYLIVE
The Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group), Temi Popoola, has emphasised the importance of institutional collaboration, policy consistency and international financial connectivity in strengthening Nigeria’s capital market and attracting sustainable long-term investment.
Popoola made the observation at the Nigeria–Asia Financial Connectivity Dialogue in Singapore, held on October 8 and 9, 2026.
Hosted by J.P. Morgan and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in collaboration with NGX Group and FMDQ Group, the programme brought together policymakers, investors and financial-market leaders to explore opportunities to deepen investment flows between Nigeria and Asia.
Speaking on a panel moderated by J.P. Morgan’s Chief Economist for Africa, Gbolahan Taiwo, Popoola noted that Nigeria and the wider African continent were experiencing renewed momentum in capital formation, creating opportunities to expand investment participation and strengthen capital markets as engines of economic growth.
“We are witnessing a level of capital formation in Nigeria and on the continent that we really haven’t seen in a very long time,” he said.
Reflecting on the significance of the engagement, Popoola said: “We see the development of Nigeria’s capital market as a shared undertaking, one we intend to pursue in partnership rather than in silos.”
He underscored the importance of coordinated institutional action in advancing market development and translating Nigeria’s economic and financial-market reforms into sustained investor confidence.
He noted that liquidity, foreign-exchange stability and policy consistency remain central to international investors’ assessment of the market. He also highlighted the potential to attract more companies to the capital market, particularly across underrepresented sectors such as agriculture, technology, infrastructure and healthcare.
Nigeria’s recent market developments, including the transition to a T+1 settlement cycle in June 2026 and its reclassification to Frontier Market status by FTSE Russell in September, present opportunities to strengthen international accessibility and enhance the country’s investment proposition.
In a separate fireside chat, CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso underscored the importance of investor confidence in sustaining long-term capital flows.
“The real test of reform is not whether you can attract capital once; it is whether you create the confidence for capital to stay, return and grow,” he said, identifying credible monetary policy, stronger governance, improved market functioning and predictable regulation as essential to sustained investment.
During a visit to Singapore Exchange Group (SGX Group), Popoola joined CBN Governor Cardoso, FMDQ Group Chief Executive Officer Zeal Akaraiwe and other delegates for discussions with SGX Group Chief Executive Officer Loh Boon Chye and the exchange’s leadership team.
The discussions focused on lessons from Singapore’s capital-market development, the importance of regulatory credibility and policy consistency, and the role of coordinated institutions in building deeper markets.
Beyond institutional collaboration, the engagement explored opportunities to encourage companies with significant operations in Nigeria, including Olam, Tolaram and Indorama, to consider listing in the Nigerian capital market. Such listings could broaden investment opportunities for Nigerian investors while strengthening financial and commercial connections between Nigeria and Asia.
Separately, the CBN held discussions with the Monetary Authority of Singapore on financial-sector development, regulation and innovation.
The programme also featured the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the CBN and the Global Finance & Technology Network to establish a framework for cooperation on financial innovation.
For NGX Group, the engagements reflect its commitment to strengthening international relationships, supporting domestic capital-market development and positioning Nigeria to attract greater investment.
Through collaboration across the financial ecosystem, the Group seeks to expand access to capital for Nigerian businesses and create opportunities for investors to participate in the country’s economic growth.
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Jobberman Nigeria, Nigeria’s leading career development and recruitment solutions company, has launched ‘Her Next Move’, a campaign designed to empower young Nigerian women with practical skills and confidence to pursue career opportunities and participate more fully in the workforce.
Through free online training, the initiative supports women aged 18 to 35 as they prepare to enter the workplace, advance into better roles or explore freelance and gig work.
Built around the message ‘Your Future. Your Skills. Your Move’, the campaign places female inclusion at the centre of career development, encouraging women to take an active role in shaping their professional futures. It connects the ambition to progress with an accessible starting point: learning skills that can help women prepare for their next opportunity.
‘Her Next Move’ recognises that career progress looks different for every woman. For a graduate, it may mean preparing for a first job. For a woman already working, it may involve developing the skills to take on greater responsibility or pursue a new role. For another, it may mean understanding how to navigate freelance work and participate in the global gig economy. The campaign brings these aspirations together through a shared emphasis on learning, preparation and action.
This Initiative by Jobberman in partnership with Mastercard Foundation promotes two courses: Jobberman Soft Skills Training and Becoming a Successful Global Gig Worker. Both courses are free, with a free certificate upon successful completion.
Jobberman Soft Skills Training focuses on workplace readiness, helping participants build the professional skills needed to navigate work and prepare for career progression. Becoming a Successful Global Gig Worker introduces participants to the demands and opportunities of freelance and gig work, supporting women interested in exploring career paths beyond traditional employment.
By making the training and certification available at no cost, ‘Her Next Move’ reduces the financial barrier to participation and encourages more young women to invest in their professional development. Its focus extends from raising awareness of learning opportunities to helping participants follow through and complete their chosen course.
To bring the campaign to life, Jobberman is working with young creators who are sharing personal stories about ambition, career transitions and the role of learning in their journeys. Through videos, social media posts and follow-up conversations, the creators encourage young women to reflect on their own goals and identify the practical steps they can take towards them.
These stories are intended to make career development relatable, connecting everyday aspirations with opportunities to learn. Across the campaign, the question “What is your next move?” invites women to define progress for themselves and begin preparing for it.
‘Her Next Move’ reinforces Jobberman’s and Mastercard Foundation’s commitment to supporting career development and expanding access to learning for young Nigerian women. By combining free skills training with relatable storytelling and encouragement to take action, the campaign seeks to help more women feel prepared to pursue their ambitions.
