Nigerian capital market judiciary plays vital role in investor trust and national growth, says Shettima at workshop urging timely, informed judicial action
Nigerian capital market judiciary has been called upon to play a more strategic and responsive role in boosting investor confidence and improving the nation’s financial ecosystem.
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Vice President Kashim Shettima delivered this message through his representative, Dr. Tope Fasua, Special Adviser to the President on Economic Affairs, at a capacity-building workshop in Abuja.
The two-day event, organised by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the National Judicial Institute, brought together justices from the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, Federal and State High Courts, capital market regulators, and lawmakers. The focus was to enhance judicial understanding and timely resolution of financial disputes.
Shettima emphasised the pivotal place of the capital market in Nigeria’s economic development strategy.
According to him, the market is not merely a trading platform but the lifeblood of modern economies.
Its efficiency, he said, is closely tied to how well financial disputes are resolved by the judiciary.
He pointed out that trust, fairness, speed, and enforceability are the four pillars upon which a healthy capital market stands.
Any erosion of these pillars, particularly due to judicial delays or inconsistent rulings, could weaken investor trust and discourage capital inflow.
“The capital market is far more than just a platform for buying and selling of securities. It is the lifeblood of modern economies,” Shettima stated.
“Justice delayed is justice denied, especially in financial markets where time is literally money.
Your Lordship’s pronouncements on capital market issues have far-reaching implications.”
He added that the government remained fully committed to supporting the judiciary and regulatory institutions in building a stable, predictable, and investor-friendly legal environment.
This commitment includes backing reforms and training to improve efficiency and consistency in judgments.
The Vice President’s remarks were echoed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who was represented by Justice Stephen Adah.
She urged judges to stay informed and proactive in addressing the realities of modern finance.
Kekere-Ekun stressed that financial markets are evolving rapidly with innovations like digital assets, cryptocurrency, and green bonds.
These developments, she said, demand a judiciary that is not only reactive but also deeply informed.
“The capital market today is no longer a distant abstraction, it has become a critical lever of economic participation and empowerment,” she noted.
“Even the most sophisticated laws remain inert without informed and purposive interpretation.”
She highlighted that the newly enacted Investments and Securities Act 2025 offered fresh opportunities and challenges that require more judicial understanding.
She commended the NJI and SEC for sustaining education and dialogue in specialised areas like capital markets.
According to her, “We must acknowledge the emergence of new financial fortunes, digital assets, cryptocurrency transactions, green financing instruments, and transnational securities.”
Justice Kekere-Ekun concluded by urging judges to embrace continuous learning, describing a knowledgeable and ethically driven judiciary as a key driver of economic growth and national credibility.
Participants at the workshop engaged in sessions on case studies, emerging financial instruments, and dispute resolution strategies.
Capital market experts presented insights into how judicial clarity and predictability affect foreign direct investment and market stability.
One senior participant remarked, “This training is crucial. With the right knowledge, we can make rulings that both uphold justice and protect the economic integrity of our country.”
The Nigerian capital market judiciary, the organisers emphasised, must now evolve to become not just interpreters of the law but active enablers of financial trust and economic transformation.
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As Nigeria positions itself to attract more global capital, the role of the judiciary in safeguarding investor rights and ensuring quick and consistent rulings has never been more urgent.
