Dr. Emomotimi Agama, the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), has highlighted the critical role of education in navigating the fast-paced digital finance landscape, labeling cryptocurrency as the future of finance.
In an interview with ARISE NEWS on Wednesday, Dr. Agama stressed, "Knowledge is fundamental. Cryptocurrency and the digital environment represent the future of finance. Therefore, it is crucial for us, as regulators, to educate the public. The significance of education cannot be overemphasized."
He noted that the increasing participation of Nigerian youths in cryptocurrency underscores the obligation of the SEC and the government to safeguard investor interests.
"It is encouraging to observe Nigerians, particularly the youth, who make up over 70% of our population, engaging in this area. Their involvement mandates that we, as the SEC and the government, take on the responsibility of protecting them. This protection is vital and part of the SEC's mission," he stated.
Discussing the global adoption of cryptocurrency, Dr. Agama asserted that Nigeria is actively participating, thanks to its youthful and tech-oriented demographic.
"This is a global movement; everywhere globally, and indeed in Africa, Nigeria is also engaging in this trend. Particularly driven by our demographics and the talented nature of Nigerian youth, many have joined the international financial ecosystem," he explained.
He emphasized that as digital assets increasingly integrate into global finance, the SEC must continue its regulatory efforts to protect investors while facilitating legitimate business operations.
"It is essential to recognize that actions taken by Nigerians do not solely reflect the domestic landscape; this is a global movement. As international regulators, we must scrutinize and govern these developments to protect investors utilizing cryptocurrencies and other digital assets in business transactions," he affirmed.
On regulatory measures, Dr. Agama revealed that the SEC is taking proactive steps to educate the populace about cryptocurrency.
"As early as September 2020, the SEC made a public statement clarifying our stance on cryptocurrency, fully aware of the future trends, and has stayed at the forefront of educating Nigerians since then," he noted.
When addressing how the SEC is working to safeguard cryptocurrency traders, he indicated that education remains a primary strategy.
He further elaborated that preventing crashes in the digital asset sector requires effective risk management strategies.
"You manage a crash by implementing all available risk mitigation strategies inherent in the digital asset domain," he stated.
He also asserted that protective protocols and regulations are enforceable, as the SEC employs specialized tools to monitor transactions.
"These measures are indeed enforceable; we do not rely on standard oversight methods but utilize advanced tools for transaction monitoring. This is why the SEC, empowered by the Investment and Securities Act of 2025, mandates that individuals register with us, as we have been authorized by law to oversee crypto trading and related activities," he emphasized.
Dr. Agama dismissed comparisons between the Naira and cryptocurrencies, clarifying that they operate under completely different frameworks.
"The Naira is a currency—sovereign, and must be regarded as such. In contrast, cryptocurrencies emerged from decentralization, fundamentally altering currency ownership and control. Thus, it is inappropriate to compare the Naira with crypto; they are two distinct entities, much like comparing oranges with apples," he concluded.
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