The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has called on Nigerian civil servants to leverage opportunities in the capital market as a pathway to wealth creation, financial security and deeper participation in national economic growth.
The Director-General of the SEC, Emomotimi Agama, made the call during a strategic engagement with the Head of Service of the Federation, Dame Didi Walson-Jack, and senior civil service officials.
He said the capital market should no longer be viewed as remote from the daily realities of public servants, but as a practical platform for long-term savings and investment.
He urged civil servants to go beyond relying solely on monthly salaries to see themselves as investors and stakeholders in the economy.
The SEC boss said this shift could enhance financial stability for them during their active service and retirement.
“The capital market is a platform for wealth creation and financial security. Our collective goal should be to move civil servants from being just salary earners to becoming active investors and beneficiaries of economic growth,” Agama said.
He explained that the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) already connects millions of civil servants to the capital market, as pension assets are invested in government bonds, equities, infrastructure funds and other instruments.
According to him, the performance of these investments has a direct impact on workers’ retirement benefits.
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Agama said improved understanding of the capital market would strengthen confidence in the pension system and encourage civil servants to explore other regulated investment options such as mutual funds, bonds and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs).
To this end, he proposed a structured financial literacy programme tailored to the civil service, focusing on savings, investment planning, home ownership and education funding.
“A financially literate civil service is a more stable, productive and secure workforce. Through targeted workshops, seminars and digital learning, civil servants can be empowered to make informed financial decisions,” Agama said.
He also highlighted the potential of capital market instruments such as REITs and mortgage-backed securities in addressing housing challenges faced by public servants.
He called for closer collaboration between the SEC and the civil service, including a joint standing committee and the integration of capital market education into training institutions like the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON).
“When civil servants understand and participate actively in the capital market, they become partners in Nigeria’s growth story, not just administrators of policy,” Agama maintained.
He warned civil servants against investing in unregistered entities, noting the prevalence of Ponzi schemes.
“Many of the victims of Ponzi schemes are civil servants, this is a great challenge. We are finding solutions to problems, so as part of this collaboration, we will be happy to sensitise civil servants on Ponzi schemes and the dangers of patronising them,” Agama added.
In her response, Walson-Jack welcomed the partnership, pledging to work with the SEC to improve the financial well-being of civil servants.
“We accept your proposals for training on financial education for civil servants. The civil servant commits his/her entire life to the service of the nation but goes home with very little,” she said.
She hinted that efforts were underway to ensure civil servants retire with gratuity and, ultimately, personal assets such as homes.
Alex is a business journalist cum data enthusiast with the Pinnacle Daily. He can be reached via ealex@thepinnacleng.com, @ehime_alex on X
