SEC, NUC Collaborate to Boost Financial Literacy in Nigerian Universities

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has partnered with the National Universities Commission (NUC) to enhance financial and investment education across Nigerian universities. The announcement was made on Tuesday by SEC Director General, Emomotimi Agama, during the handover of the revised NUC curriculum on Securities and Investment Management in Abuja. The updated curriculum was developed by a committee of experts drawn from both academia and the capital market. Financial literacy is not just an academic subject; it is a life skill and a survival tool in today’s complex economy. Our partnership with the NUC reflects a shared commitment to equip young Nigerians with the knowledge and skills to make informed financial decisions.

The initiative seeks to embed financial education from primary through tertiary levels, with pilot programmes in Nasarawa and Ibadan already reporting positive outcomes among teachers and students. By introducing concepts such as saving, investing, and budgeting early, the programme aims to cultivate responsible, confident, and financially empowered citizens who can actively participate in Nigeria’s capital market and broader economy.

Agama also emphasized that the revised curriculum aligns with Nigeria’s ambition of building a trillion dollar economy driven by innovation, knowledge, and inclusive growth. He pledged that the SEC would continue to support curriculum development, teacher training, and stakeholder engagement to ensure nationwide implementation.

Uche Uwaleke, Chairman of the SEC Committee on Curriculum Review, explained that the committee’s mandate was to update the existing curriculum to reflect global market realities and introduce a basic capital market course for all first year university students. The course is designed to foster early awareness of the capital market, deepen financial inclusion, and close knowledge gaps among young Nigerians.

The committee also recommended expanding the programme to all tertiary institutions, including polytechnics and colleges of education, to promote investment awareness and financial discipline nationwide. Their work, which involved eight meetings and extensive stakeholder engagement, is expected to serve as a major milestone in building a financially literate generation and strengthening the foundation for an inclusive, globally competitive Nigerian capital market.