The Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at FMDQ Group, Emmanuel Etaderhi, has called on regulators and capital market stakeholders to leverage popular culture, including musicians and footballers, to deepen youth engagement with the newly enacted Investment Securities Act (ISA) 2025.
Etaderhi made the call at the annual conference of the Capital Market Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CAMCAN) in Lagos, held under the theme, “Regulatory Reforms: ISA 2025 and Investment Climate.”
He said the new law presents vast opportunities for young Nigerians, particularly with its formal recognition of virtual assets such as cryptocurrencies, which already enjoy strong appeal among the youth population.
Citing a Chainalysis report, Etaderhi noted that Sub-Saharan Africa is now the third-fastest growing crypto market globally, behind Asia-Pacific and Latin America. The region recorded $205 billion in on-chain value, reflecting a 52 per cent year-on-year increase, driven largely by young Nigerians seeking to hedge against inflation and preserve value.
“If you come to FMDQ these days, you will be surprised. I think we are more than 70 per cent youth,” Etaderhi said. “The young people doing crypto, those who understand digital currencies and new financial products, make up the greater population in our offices. We are essentially a tech company.”
Describing ISA 2025 as a forward-looking legislation, he said, “It is not just a document for today. It is a document for the future. It gives life to the dreams and aspirations of the youths.”
However, he raised concerns that many young Nigerians remain unaware of the law due to the way information is currently being disseminated.
“Which forum has really called the youths together to explain this document to them in a language they understand?” he asked.
Etaderhi stressed that youth-focused financial education must be delivered through digital platforms, skits, podcasts and social media, rather than traditional methods.
“The youths believe in skits, followers, likes and podcasts. You cannot use the old methods of learning to engage them. They don’t have the time to read long essays. You must put it into digitalised formats,” he said.
He further urged stakeholders to enlist major artists and footballers as ambassadors of the capital market.
“Nigeria has colonised this world with music. Burna Boy is known in Morocco, Davido is known in Ireland. Use these icons to convey messages to the youths because they follow them. Football also affects almost all youths. Bring these idols, teach them first, and let them spread the message,” he added.
Etaderhi also highlighted FMDQ’s involvement in shaping ISA 2025, saying the organisation participated in several committees and stakeholder engagements. He disclosed that two young FMDQ professionals were recognised for their contributions, underscoring the importance of youth inclusion in policy development.
On the broader impact of the law, he said ISA 2025 has the capacity to transform Nigeria’s capital market by fostering innovation, improving transparency and aligning investment products with youth aspirations, particularly in digital currencies, sustainable finance, and non-interest instruments.
He also called for stronger promotion of Sukuk, a Sharia-compliant financial instrument used in funding major infrastructure projects, including road construction.
“ISA 2025 speaks to digital currencies, SDGs, and non-interest financial instruments. Sukuk is one instrument we are not pushing enough, even though faith-wise, more than 50 per cent of Nigerians believe in that kind of instrument,” he said.
