Senator Osita Izunaso, who chairs the Senate Committee on Capital Market and Institutions, has urged the Securities and Exchange Commission to fast-track regulations governing digital assets and tokenisation. According to Nairametrics, the senator warned that regulatory delays risk causing Nigeria to miss out on emerging investment opportunities in the growing international market. He made these remarks on Monday during the National Capital Market Conference 2026 in Abuja, an event where the SEC introduced the Nigerian Capital Market Master Plan 2.0.
The master plan is a 10-year roadmap designed to expand the capital market and mobilise long-term financing, with a target of growing the market from approximately N250 trillion to N750 trillion by 2036. Izunaso’s intervention highlights concerns about Nigeria’s readiness to engage in tokenisation, a process that represents ownership rights in assets through digital tokens on a blockchain. He noted that while domestic regulatory processes remain incomplete, Nigerian stakeholders are increasingly travelling abroad to explore these opportunities. The senator specifically questioned whether an enabling law currently guides token development in the country.
Nairametrics reported that the call for accelerated regulation comes despite the passage of the Investments and Securities Act 2025, which recognises virtual assets and strengthens the SEC’s oversight of digital asset operators. In August 2026, the SEC proposed specific registration fees of N30 million for digital asset operators, including real-world asset tokenisation platforms, with a minimum capital requirement of N500 million for such platforms. Izunaso also referenced a presidential committee headed by the Central Bank of Nigeria governor, expressing an expectation for progress on the digital asset framework within a month.
Beyond digital assets, the senator advocated for increased listings on the Nigerian Exchange, particularly from major entities like NNPC Limited and telecommunications firms. He pointed out that while Nigeria has over five million registered companies, only about 151 are publicly listed. According to Nairametrics, this gap suggests that additional listings could allow Nigerians to own stakes in major businesses and expand domestic investment opportunities. The SEC’s Director-General, Emomotimi Agama, has emphasised the need for clear regulatory pathways to accommodate innovation while maintaining investor safeguards.