Business

SEC Raises Minimum Capital Requirements For Capital Market Operators In Nigeria, Sets Deadline

Published

4 months ago

January 16, 2026

The Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, has announced a major upward review of the minimum capital requirements for all regulated capital market entities in Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen market resilience and enhance investor protection.

The revised framework, contained in Circular No. 26-1 dated January 16, 2026, was issued pursuant to the Commission’s mandate under the Investments and Securities Act, 2025.

According to SEC, the review is aimed at aligning capital adequacy with the growing complexity and risk profile of market activities while ensuring that operators have sufficient financial capacity to meet their obligations sustainably.

Under the new regime, minimum capital thresholds have been significantly increased across core and non-core market functions, market infrastructure institutions, fintech operators, virtual asset service providers, commodity market intermediaries, and capital market consultants.

The SEC said for brokerage services, the minimum capital for brokers handling client execution only has been raised from N200 million to N600 million, while broker-dealers offering both client execution and proprietary trading will now be required to maintain N2 billion, up from N300 million. Inter-dealer brokers will see one of the steepest increases, rising from N50 million to N2 billion.

In the fund and portfolio management segment, full-scope portfolio managers with assets above N20 billion will now be required to maintain N5 billion in capital, compared to N150 million previously.

Also, the regulator noted that fund managers with assets exceeding N100 billion will also be required to hold capital equivalent to at least 10 percent of their assets under management.

Non-core operators such as issuing houses, registrars, trustees, and underwriters also face higher thresholds. Issuing houses with underwriting capabilities must now maintain N7 billion in capital, while registrars will be required to hold N2.5 billion, up from N150 million.

The revised framework introduces capital requirements for emerging segments, including virtual asset service providers and digital asset platforms. Digital asset exchanges and custodians will now be required to maintain N2 billion in minimum capital, while real-world asset tokenization platforms must hold at least N1 billion.

Market infrastructure institutions have equally been affected, with the minimum capital for central counterparties increased to N10 billion and composite securities exchanges raised to N10 billion from N500 million.

The SEC said all affected entities must comply with the new minimum capital requirements on or before June 30, 2027, warning that failure to meet the deadline could attract sanctions, including suspension or withdrawal of registration.

The Commission added that transitional arrangements may be considered on a case-by-case basis, while detailed compliance guidelines will be issued separately. The SEC stressed that the revised requirements take effect immediately from the date of publication.

“The Securities and Exchange Commission (“the Commission”), pursuant to its statutory mandate under the Investments and Securities Act, 2025, to regulate and develop the Nigerian capital market, hereby issues this Circular on the revision of Minimum Capital (MC) applicable to all categories of regulated capital market entities.

“This review is informed by the need to strengthen market resilience, enhance investor protection, align capital adequacy with the evolving risk profile of market activities, and ensure that regulated entities possess sufficient financial capacity to discharge their obligations in a sustainable manner,” the SEC stated.

Business

Again, Dangote Refinery Hikes Fuel Price

Published

1 day ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Dangote Refinery has increased the ex-depot price of petrol by N75, bringing the price up to N1,350 per litre from the previous price of N1,275.

This is the first fuel increase by the Refinery in the month of May.

This latest development is coming seven days after the refinery raised its ex-depot price from N1,200 to N1,275 per litre.

Recall that the refinery on April 29 increased the ex-depot price of petrol by N75.

Business

Why We Sited Our Multi-Billion Naira Automobile Firm Branch in Benin – Skyewise Group CEO

Published

3 days ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Dr. Elvis Abuyere, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Skyewise Group, an automobile firm, has explained the reason for establishing a branch of the company in Benin City, the Edo State capital, describing the ancient city as “a growing economy full of enormous potential for vibrant youth.”

He added that the company considers Edo State one of the most interesting states, noting that the decision aligns with its long-term vision.

Abuyere, who spoke in Benin on Monday while taking journalists on a tour of the new automobile facility, said:
“We started very small — from Abuja to Lagos and now Benin. It is a joy and privilege for us to have completed this amazing regional office with Skyewise Group.”

According to him, beyond the automobile business, Skyewise Group is in Benin to invest in real estate, logistics, youth empowerment, and credit management. “Aand also to lend our support to what the Edo State Government is doing, knowing the fact that there is an agenda,” he added.

The young CEO urged youths in Nigeria, particularly those in Edo State, to embrace entrepreneurship, stressing that “we believe it is the future of Africa,” especially Nigeria.

He said Nigeria stands as the giant of Africa and that its youth must take bold steps in the entrepreneurship landscape.

According to Abuyere, to ensure Edo youths actualise their entrepreneurial potential, the company has prepared soft loans to help them start businesses, adding that Skyewise Group is not limited to automobile operations.

He said: “More importantly to us is youth empowerment. We want our youth to be empowered, and this is where the Skyewise Foundation comes in.

“We believe the future of Africa is entrepreneurship, and that future lies in the hands of the young people of Nigeria. We want to empower them to stand the test of time, build something meaningful, and reduce unemployment and insecurity in our land.

“I believe we need to begin taking bold steps by refining the mindset of our young people. We need to give them a sense of belonging and direction.

“We have been addressing the liquidity gap in society by providing microloans to support businesses in our environment and in Benin City.”

When asked why he chose Benin City for the multi-billion naira automobile firm, Abuyere noted: “I think this is the first automobile showroom in Edo State where you can see a car lifted from the ground floor to the first floor and beyond.”

Business

JUST IN: Nigerian Filling Stations Reduce Fuel Price After Hike

Published

5 days ago

May 2, 2026

Editor

Nigerian filling stations reduced their Premium Motor Spirit price on Saturday, barely 24 hours after the hike.

Checks by DAILY POST showed that Ranoil, Empire Energy, and other filling stations in Abuja adjusted their petrol pumps to N1,365 and N1,375 per litre respectively, down from N1,440 per litre on Friday.

This means that petroleum marketers dropped their fuel price by N65 and N75 per litre. DAILY POST reports that the move was to attract patronage from customers.

Recall that three days ago, Nigerian filling stations had raised their petrol pump price to between N1,365 and N1,440 nationwide after Dangote Refinery and depot owners increased ex-depot prices to around N1,275 and N1,290 per litre.

According to DAILY POST, while the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and MRS Bovas filling stations raised their petrol price to around N1,365 per litre, others adjusted theirs above N1,440 per litre.

However, with the latest fuel price reduction by Ranoil and Empire Energy, the majority of filling station outlets now dispense petrol between N1,365 and N1,375 per litre.

This development comes as the ripple effect of crude oil prices continues to impact Nigeria’s domestic fuel price.

Brent and West Texas Intermediate crude rose to $114 and $105 per barrel before dropping to $108 and $101 after the filing of this report.