The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has disclosed that over ₦753 billion was raised in Nigeria’s capital market through commercial paper issuances between April and October, underscoring growing investor confidence and the rising role of short-term instruments in corporate financing.
Emomotimi Agama, director-general of the SEC, made this known in an interview on Sunday, where he said the strong uptake of commercial papers reflects the market’s ability to provide flexible funding for businesses amid tight credit conditions.
According to Agama, the ₦753 billion raised during the five-month period was channelled mainly toward meeting short-term financing needs across key sectors of the economy, including manufacturing, energy, and agriculture. He noted that companies are increasingly turning to the capital market to bridge working capital gaps, fund operations, and manage cash flows more efficiently.
The SEC DG said the trend highlights renewed confidence by investors in the regulatory framework and in the creditworthiness of issuing companies. He added that the Commission’s ongoing reforms to strengthen transparency, disclosure, and market integrity have helped to deepen participation in the commercial paper segment.
Agama explained that commercial papers, as unsecured short-term debt instruments, provide corporates with quicker access to funds at competitive rates, while offering investors attractive returns and diversification opportunities. He said the growing volume of issuances shows that the instrument has become a vital component of Nigeria’s non-bank financing ecosystem.
He further assured market operators and investors of the Commission’s commitment to maintaining robust oversight of the market to ensure that issuances comply with regulations and that investors’ interests are protected.
The SEC boss expressed optimism that with sustained macroeconomic reforms and improving market confidence, activity in the commercial paper market and the broader capital market would continue to expand, supporting business growth and contributing to Nigeria’s economic development.
