Digital innovation is reshaping the way capital is mobilised and invested, while ethical governance has become a cornerstone for building trust in financial systems. At the same time, sustainability is no longer an optional goal but an essential driver of long-term resilience.
According to Saheed Bashir, Chairman of the Annual Conference Committee of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), this convergence could not be more timely. “Nigeria is aiming to transform its economy into a $1 trillion powerhouse. For that vision to be realised, the capital market must lead the charge,” he stated.
The 2025 CIS Annual Stockbrokers’ Conference is set for Thursday, October 16 to Friday, October 17, at the Los Angeles Event Centre (LAEC) in Abuja. Designed as a dynamic platform for insight, innovation, and strategic dialogue, the two-day event will bring together stakeholders to address pressing issues shaping the financial ecosystem. Discussions will cover a wide range of topics, including the role of fintech, blockchain, and artificial intelligence in capital markets, the importance of ethical standards and regulatory compliance, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing, investor protection and education, and the critical inclusion of youth and women in finance.
Fiona Ahimie, CIS’ First Vice President, underscored the Institute’s strong focus on nurturing the next generation of finance professionals. “Succession and sustainability are vital to the industry’s future. This year’s conference is dedicated to engaging directly with students and young professionals, showing them pathways into stockbroking, investment banking, asset management, and related careers,” she explained. “Young Nigerians are digital natives, eager for opportunity, and we must reach them with innovative, tech-driven solutions that make the capital market accessible and attractive.”
Ahimie further stressed the importance of improving financial literacy, particularly among young people and startup founders. She noted that limited knowledge often leaves them vulnerable to Ponzi schemes and financial scams. “Our mission is to change that narrative by positioning the capital market as a credible and secure channel for funding, investing, and wealth creation,” she said.
The conference promises an engaging agenda, featuring keynote addresses, plenary sessions, technical panels, and interactive breakout discussions with leading voices from Nigeria’s financial and regulatory space. Beyond the core sessions, participants will experience additional highlights designed to deepen engagement and broaden impact. These include a dedicated capital market career fair for students from schools and universities within the Federal Capital Territory, a regulatory engagement visit to the Central Bank of Nigeria, exclusive networking opportunities for stockbrokers, and special focus sessions on fintech innovation, sustainable finance, financial inclusion, and the roles of youth and women in shaping the future of the industry.
Widely recognised as Nigeria’s premier capital market gathering, the CIS Annual Stockbrokers’ Conference has earned a reputation as a hub for learning, collaboration, and networking. It brings together diverse players in the ecosystem,including stockbrokers, asset managers, pension administrators, fintech innovators, regulators, insurers, and policymakers,to exchange ideas and forge partnerships. In doing so, it continues to play a pivotal role in positioning Nigeria’s capital market at the forefront of economic transformation and global competitiveness.
