NGX Chair Seeks Regulation to Drive Digital Assets Growth
Nigerian Exchange Group has underscored the need for collaboration among stakeholders to foster a sustainable, well-regulated environment for digital asset trading and investment in the country.
Its Chairman, Dr Umaru Kwairanga, made this known in a goodwill message delivered at the 2026 Investment Advisers and Portfolio Managers’ Conference in Lagos.
The theme of the conference is “Fostering Enduring Operating Environment for Digital Assets Trading and Investments-Regulators/Operators Perspective”.
Kwairanga, in a statement on Friday, said the theme reflected the growing influence of emerging technologies in modern finance.
According to him, the rise of digital assets continued to reshape traditional market structures while creating new opportunities for capital formation, investment diversification and financial inclusion.
The NGX chairman, however, stressed that sustaining this transformation required a careful balance between innovation and regulation.
He noted that regulators must provide clarity and safeguards, while operators build resilient infrastructure and market participants uphold high standards of professionalism and ethics.
“At Nigerian Exchange Group, we are committed to enabling a market ecosystem that is innovative, inclusive and resilient.
“A key example is NGX Invest, our digital infrastructure, that has transformed primary market offerings from paper-based processes to a seamless, end-to-end digital experience, broadening investor participation and improving efficiency in capital raising.
“Through initiatives like this, we continue to enhance market transparency, expand access to investment opportunities, and support the evolution of our market in line with global best practices.
“We also remain actively engaged with stakeholders to ensure that innovation, including emerging asset classes, is integrated responsibly within a well-regulated framework,” he said.
The chairman urged participants at the conference to approach deliberations with openness and a shared sense of responsibility.
He noted that outcomes from such engagements would have far-reaching implications for the financial industry and the broader economy.
He called for continued collaboration among stakeholders to build a financial system that is resilient to disruptions while remaining adaptable to innovation and future opportunities.
He commended the Association of Investment Advisers and Portfolio Managers for consistently providing a platform for key players in the financial services ecosystem to engage on critical market issues.
Kwairanga noted that investment advisers and portfolio managers play a pivotal role in ensuring the integrity, efficiency and growth of the capital market.
He described them as custodians of capital and trusted guides for investors navigating an increasingly complex financial landscape. Tinubu Signs N68.32trn 2026 Budget, Extends 2025 Capex