November 23, (THEWILL) — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced that Nigeria’s capital market will officially transition to a T+2 settlement cycle for equities transactions from Friday, November 28, 2025.
The reform, aimed at aligning Nigeria with global best practices, is expected to enhance market efficiency, improve liquidity, and strengthen investor confidence ahead of the traditional year-end rally.
With the T+2 transition, Nigeria is taking a significant step toward a more efficient, competitive, and investor-friendly capital market as it braces for becoming an ambitious $1 trillion economy.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the SEC said the migration from the current T+3 (trade date plus three days) cycle had reached full implementation following months of preparation and rigorous stakeholder testing.
“The migration is expected to significantly enhance the Nigerian capital market by allowing investors quicker access to funds, improving overall liquidity, and reducing counterparty risk exposure,” the Commission noted.
The Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc, which serves as the market’s central counterparty, was praised for ensuring operational and technical readiness.
“Extensive testing with market participants has been successfully conducted without any reported issues,” the SEC said, adding that the initiative represents a “landmark change” in Nigeria’s market infrastructure.
Under the new settlement framework, all trades executed on Friday, November 28, 2025, will settle on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, while earlier transactions will continue under the existing T+3 system.
The SEC also reaffirmed its commitment to building a modern, transparent, and globally competitive market that continues to attract domestic and international investors.
… Holds Compliance Summit November 24-25
Meanwhile, the Commission has released key details of the SEC/Nigerian Capital Market Institute (NCMI) Compliance Summit 2025 taking place in Lagos from November 24–25.
A statement by the capital market regulator said the key focus is on reforms to the Investments and Securities Act (ISA) and the integration of technology-driven compliance practices across Nigeria’s capital market.
The programme, themed “Innovation and Compliance – Balancing Risks and Opportunities”, aims to promote innovation-led regulatory practices that address emerging risks while supporting the evolving market structure.
Positioned as a strategic continuation of the successful 2024 edition, the 2025 summit will focus on strengthening transparency, efficiency, and resilience within the capital market ecosystem.
Expected at the forum are capital market operators, self-regulatory organizations, FinTech innovators, regulators, and compliance professionals to discuss risk-based, forward-looking compliance strategies.
In addition, compliance officers are expected to participate, given their central role in safeguarding market integrity and ensuring institutions adapt swiftly to regulatory changes.
The Commission explained that the gathering would promote innovation-driven compliance strategies to enhance regulatory efficiency, deepen dialogue on beneficial ownership transparency and customer due diligence, and highlight the importance of RegTech and data analytics for real-time transaction monitoring.
According to the SEC, the event will provide an unparalleled platform for in-depth analysis of regulatory evolution, featuring expert-led sessions examining ISA 2025 compliance requirements and changing expectations for market participants.
It will also facilitate multi-stakeholder engagement on technology innovation and risk, especially as digitization accelerates through the growth of Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) and FinTech platforms, creating a greater need for advanced compliance tools such as RegTech and data analytics.
It was noted that the forum will help build clarity and consensus on leadership responsibilities in compliance by addressing ambiguities, sharing insights, and strengthening governance frameworks that integrate compliance into strategic decision-making. It will further outline both immediate and long-term strategies for implementing the new law, addressing potential gaps, and developing practical solutions.
It will also emphasize stronger board and senior management involvement in fostering a robust compliance culture, along with strengthening public-private sector collaboration to sustain Nigeria’s progress in Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT).
This year’s edition is said to be a pivotal step in advancing financial integrity, innovation, and investor confidence in Nigeria’s capital market as the regulatory landscape continues to evolve.
