SEC Launches New Programme to Guide FinTech Companies and Protect Investors
By Patience Ikpeme
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has launched a special program called the “Regulator/FinTech Clinic” to help financial technology companies follow the law while bringing new ideas to the Nigerian market.
At the inaugural meeting held on Tuesday, the Commission explained that this move is a deliberate step to bring the government closer to the people who are using technology to change how Nigerians save and invest money.
The Director General of the SEC, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, explained that Nigeria has become a major center for innovation in Africa. He said that many entrepreneurs are now using apps and digital platforms to help more people reach financial services that were once hard to get. However, he pointed out that as technology moves forward, the rules must also change to keep up.
“This engagement reflects a deliberate step by the Commission to deepen dialogue between the regulator and the FinTech sector,” the DG said during the event. He noted that for innovation to be successful, it must be responsible and work within rules that protect the public. He said the new clinic is part of a plan to make sure the Commission’s rules are fair, easy to follow, and match what is actually happening in the market.
Dr. Agama told the gathering that the SEC wants to help innovators succeed, but they must also make sure the market is transparent. He mentioned that the new Investments and Securities Act of 2025 has given the Commission more power to oversee digital products and protect the money of ordinary Nigerians. He warned that it is much better for companies to talk to the government early than to make expensive mistakes later.
“FinTech business models often evolve faster than regulatory frameworks,” the SEC DG noted. He further explained that “compliance embedded at the design stage is far more effective than corrective measures after market entry.” He told the tech experts that the clinic is a friendly place for discussion rather than a place for quarreling, as the goal is to align new technology with trust and integrity.
The SEC boss also spoke about how the digital finance world is changing, mentioning that since 2018, the Commission has created special departments just for FinTech. He said they are looking closely at how to make digital investing safer, especially for regular people who might not understand the complex details of how these digital products work.
“As we launch this inaugural Clinic, our goal is to align innovation with integrity, growth with governance, and technology with trust,” Mr. Agama said.
Also speaking at the event, the Executive Commissioner for Operations, Mr. Bola Ajomale, said that young Nigerians are very excited about digital assets and that the future looks bright. However, he cautioned that this enthusiasm must go hand-in-hand with responsibility. He said there are new risks appearing, such as investment platforms that are not registered with the government.
Mr. Ajomale revealed that the SEC has already looked into more than 500 firms to see what they are doing and how they plan to grow. He said the Commission is talking to these players to understand their business so that a proper system can be set up to guide them and keep the market safe for everyone.
