Children’s Day: SEC, partners, train 300 kids on financial literacy
The Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr Emomotimi Agama, has called on stakeholders to begin educating children about investment and financial literacy at an early age, warning that failure to do so leaves them vulnerable to financial traps such as Ponzi schemes. Dr Agama made the call on Tuesday during a […]
dr emomotimi agama
The Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr Emomotimi Agama, has called on stakeholders to begin educating children about investment and financial literacy at an early age, warning that failure to do so leaves them vulnerable to financial traps such as Ponzi schemes.
Dr Agama made the call on Tuesday during a Children’s Day event organised by Assertium in partnership with Ryan and Jasmine Consult, held to equip Nigerian children with life and financial skills for a more secure future.
The event, held in Abuja with the theme “My Voice, My Future,” drew over 300 children, exceeding the initial plan for 200, and focused on teaching them the basics of saving, investing, entrepreneurship, and public speaking.
Dr Agama noted that although children under 18 are not legally allowed to directly invest in the Nigerian capital market, investment is made possible through collective investment schemes like mutual funds, usually managed by parents or guardians.
- Windstorm displaces 290 households, destroys buildings in Yobe
- ECOWAS at 50: A worthy venture despite challenges
“Children know more than we think. It’s important to start preparing them early around their investment culture and to sensitise them against issues like Ponzi schemes,” Agama said. “If we catch them young, we certainly are protecting the future that is up there for us all.
“Over 8.6 trillion is currently invested in collective schemes in Nigeria,” he said. “And with 70 per cent of our population under 30, we must begin to inculcate the values of investing from their cradle.”
The SEC boss added, “Mr President has the children at heart. We, as his agents, must get people to understand the value of financial literacy and investing for their future.”
Speaking further, the Chief Executive Officer of Ryan and Jasmine Consult, Mary Makanjuola, highlighted the importance of building children’s confidence in self-expression through the “My Voice Matters” initiative, an offshoot of her organisation’s partnership with Assertium.
“Our platform is designed to help children find their voice, shape their thoughts, and express themselves clearly and courageously,” Makanjuola said. “Most children have so much to say but are held back by fear. We help them control those butterflies in their system.”
She said the event showed the possibilities that lie ahead when children are equipped early with life skills.
“To the team at Assertium: Thank you for believing in the power of early learning. Your partnership is a gift to every child in this room, and to many more in the future,” she added.
Also speaking, the Group CEO of Assertium, Dr Monsierat Iyabode Amolegbe, emphasised the organisation’s goal to make children “young CEOs” through practical investment knowledge.
“We thought today would be a better time to gather children and educate them about financial inclusion. The idea is to empower them, let them know why it is important to own an investment account, and follow through,” she said.
Among the participants was nine-year-old Modisorolu Makaijuola of Early Beginners International School, who shared what she had learned.
“I’ve learnt to save and invest in gold, lithium and so much more. I want to build accounts, factories, and more,” she said. “To the government, I would say: build better roads and be fair in politics.”
The event featured creative sessions, public speaking, and financial literacy workshops, with parents and educators commending the initiative.
Makanjuola noted the essence of the day, declaring: “These are not just activities; they’re seeds of confidence, leadership, and independence.”