Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has pledged support for the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) as the Institute works towards establishing a N5 billion endowment fund to strengthen professional training and capacity development in Nigeria’s capital market.
Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance on Friday, October 23, 2026, when the Institute’s President and Chairman of Council, Fiona Ahimie, led a delegation of principal officers on a courtesy visit to Lagos House, Ikeja.
Ahimie was accompanied by the Institute’s First and Second Vice Presidents, Akeem Oyewale and Jude Chiemeka, respectively; the Registrar and Chief Executive, Ayorinde Adeonipekun; some past presidents; and serving members of the Council.
The Governor also charged the Institute to deepen capital market participation and intensify financial literacy campaigns to equip more Nigerians with the knowledge to make informed investment decisions.
Read also: Sanwo-Olu charges CIS to deepen capital market participation, promote financial literacy
He noted that although the Nigerian capital market had recorded significant growth in recent years, wider public participation remained essential to unlocking its potential for wealth creation and inclusive economic development.
Sanwo-Olu observed that many Nigerians remained unfamiliar with investment opportunities beyond their immediate financial needs, stressing the importance of educating the public on savings, investment and wealth creation.
He expressed his administration’s readiness to support initiatives that promote financial literacy and develop the professional expertise required to strengthen the capital market.
The Governor also congratulated Ahimie on her emergence as the first female president of the CIS, describing her appointment as a significant milestone for the Institute. He urged the new Council to sustain its achievements in professionalism, public engagement and capacity development.
Earlier, Ahimie disclosed that the Institute was collaborating with the Office of the Vice President on an initiative to train 10 million Nigerians in financial literacy and capital market participation.
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According to her, the programme is expected to improve public understanding of investment opportunities and encourage broader participation, particularly among young Nigerians.
She said the Institute’s 30th Annual Conference, scheduled for November 4 and 5 in Lagos, would explore strategies for mobilising capital, advancing economic prosperity and strengthening Nigeria’s global competitiveness.
Ahimie said stronger collaboration between the government and professional institutions was crucial to expanding investment awareness, developing skilled practitioners and deepening the capital market.
The engagement underscored the importance of professional development and financial education in building a more inclusive capital market and expanding Nigerians’ access to investment opportunities.
Iheanyi Nwachukwu, is a creative content writer with over two decades journalism experience writing on banking, finance, capital markets, and tax. The multiple awards winning journalist is Deputy Editor, BusinessDay. Iheanyi holds BSc Degree in Economics from Imo State University; Master of Science (MSc) Degree in Management from University of Lagos. Iheanyi has attended several work-related trainings including (i) Advanced Writing and Reporting Skills (Pan African University, Lagos); (ii) News Agency Journalism (Indian Institute of Mass Communication {IIMC}, New Delhi, India); and (iii) Capital Markets Development and Regulations (International Law Institute {ILI} of Georgetown University, Washington DC, USA). Other trainings Iheanyi attended include: Economic/Political Risk Analysis (By Thomson Reuters Foundation); International Financial Journalism (IFJ) (By PMA Media Training, UK); Effective Business Writing Skills (By Phillips Consulting); Reporting on Corporate Governance (By International Finance Corporation (IFC) & Thomson Reuters Foundation UK); etc. In addition, he has participated in high-level economy & markets events in Dubai, South Africa, Morocco, and other African countries like Zambia, Ghana and Gambia.
