The Investors, Issuers & Intermediaries Engagement/Education Sub-Committee (the “Sub-Committee”) of the Debt Capital Markets Development Project (“DCMD Project”), vested with the responsibility to create awareness, build capacity in the capital markets’ ecosystem, facilitate investors readiness and champion corporate governance, among others, hosted a retail investor webinar session themed: – “Understanding the Fundamentals for Investing in the Nigerian Debt Capital Markets” (the “Session”) which held on Thursday, January 27, 2022.
The objective of the Session, which was hosted by FMDQ Securities Exchange Limited, was sensitising retail investors on the history of the Nigerian debt capital markets (“DCM”), access to the markets, market regulation, infrastructure, risks and liquidity, as well as various products and investment options, amongst other pertinent topics, whilst affording participants the opportunity to acquire insights and make further enquiries from the well experienced subject matter experts across the DCM ecosystem.
The Session featured the delivery of a welcome address by Ms. Tumi Sekoni, Managing Director, FMDQ Securities Exchange Limited, presentations from subject matter experts highlighted below, as well as a plenary session moderated by Dr. Ore Sofekun, Managing Director, Foothold Advisors Limited, to further discuss the relevant topics and other matters arising.
- Mr. Tokunbo Aturamu, Head, Debt Capital Markets, Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited
- Mr. Tosin Osunkoya, Co-Managing Partner & Head of Investment, Comercio Partners Limited
- Mr. Mohammed Adamu, Team Lead, Securities Issuance, Debt Management Office, Nigeria
The DCMD Project Session was moderated by Mr. Dipo Omotoso, Senior Vice President, Information Services, FMDQ Securities Exchange Limited.
The Session started with a brief address by Ms. Sekoni welcoming all attendees to the session and providing a brief overview of the DCMD Project, the mandate of the Sub-Committee and objective of the Session. She highlighted that the Sub-Committee has been a vanguard of inculcating financial literacy in the Nigerian DCM over the years and has continued to champion initiatives that will further drive the culture and habit of being financially savvy and well-informed of the operations in the DCM. She also emphasised the significance of building capacities and enhancing market education in capital markets development, as there is need of to disseminate information and knowledge to existing and future investors to enable informed financial decision-making and address investment related issues, whilst building confidence in the markets.
Mr. Aturamu gave a presentation on the Overview of the Nigerian DCM, providing a detailed overview on the history of the Nigerian DCM, market statistics & analysis, market infrastructure, key market stakeholders, market regulation, and market risks & liquidity, amongst other insightful information.
In his presentation on Investment Options in the Nigerian DCM, Mr. Osunkoya highlighted the various products and investments options in the markets which include but are not limited to, Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) bonds, Treasury Bills, Sukuk, Green Bonds, FGN Savings Bond, corporate bonds, commercial papers, etc. He also explained the key features of an investment plan, and how to invest in the highlighted debt securities.
The last presentation was given by Mr. Adamu on Federal Government Securities – Savings Bond. He enlightened participants on the concept of the FGN Savings Bond, rationale for the issuance, process for investing, market regulation, benefits to investors, as well as the market development plan for 2022, amongst other relevant information.
Dr. Sofekun moderated the plenary session which was geared towards insightful talking points such as the requirements for investing in the Nigerian DCM, investment considerations, market risk components, etc. The participants were also availed the opportunity to ask questions and seek clarification about the Nigerian DCM and the various investment options. The panelists included all the Session’s facilitators that made presentations and Mr. Abdulkadir Abbas, Head, Registration, Exchanges, Market Infrastructure and Innovation, Securities and Exchange Commission, Nigeria.
After a very informative and educative deliberation, the Session ended with a closing remark from Mr. Omotoso, thanking all participants for attending the Session, and also expressing gratitude to the facilitators and SubCommittee members that contributed to the successful execution of the Session.
The Session was attended by about one hundred (100) participants and was streamed live on the FMDQ Group YouTube Channel.
Relevant Links
Presentation – Overview of the Nigerian Debt Capital Markets
Presentation – Investment Options in the Nigerian Debt Capital Markets