Yemisi Izuora
The FMDQ Group Plc, through its flagship corporate social responsibility initiative, FMDQ Next Generation Financial Markets Empowerment Programme has concluded the 6th edition of its FMDQ-Next Summer Camp Programme.
Hosted at FMDQ Group’s business complex, Exchange Place, Lagos, from August 6 – 29, 2025, the Programme brought together enthusiastic primary and secondary school students for an enriching journey into the world of financial markets.
The fully-funded 2025 Summer Camp Programme welcomed one hundred and thirty (130) students from diverse backgrounds, spanning primary (ages 8–10) and secondary (ages 11–16) school students across two (2) streams. The Programme provided a unique opportunity for the students to learn, among other financial market concepts, the fundamentals of savings, investments, and the roles of financial market participants through engaging lessons and hands-on exercises. The students’ curiosity and enthusiasm brought each session to life as they explored new ideas and built confidence in their understanding of finance. Beyond the classroom, participants of the Programme toured Exchange Place, including its renowned Archives, and had the opportunity to interact with FMDQ Group’s Chief Operating Officer, Ms. Tumi Sekoni, alongside other senior executives, who shared valuable insights into the world of finance.
The secondary school students enjoyed an immersive experience in currency trading on FMDQ-Next’s state-of-the-art trading simulation platform. The interactive System enabled students to navigate simulated real-time market scenarios, balance virtual portfolios, test strategies, and execute trades. The top three (3) finalists in each stream distinguished themselves with remarkable results and were rewarded with exciting prizes including laptops, tablets, phones, and internship opportunities at FMDQ Group. The primary school student participants were also generously celebrated, with the best three (3) students in each stream, selected based on their performances on quizzes during the Programme, awarded prizes for their outstanding efforts. Beyond the rigorous curriculum, the Programme encouraged self-expression and creativity through a talent showcase, where students impressed their peers with singing, dancing, and other unique talents, reflecting the Programme’s commitment to nurturing well-rounded individuals.
Parents/guardians, and participants expressed their excitement and gratitude for the Programme, commending both its structure and impact. Testimonials from parents highlighted their appreciation for the curriculum, while students shared how the experience deepened their knowledge, inspired new friendships, and created lasting memories. Mrs. Tolulope Akinkoye, who registered her daughter for the Programme, remarked, “My daughter really enjoyed it and had a wonderful experience. At the Programme, she learnt a lot about financial markets, financial system, the history, and evolution of money, and how to trade. She now understands that the golden rule in the foreign exchange market is to buy low and sell high. It is amazing to see how much her minds have grown in such a short period of time”. Similarly, Alexis Okafor, a primary school student from Brilliant Child Private School, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “I learnt about the financial market and its products such as bonds,
stocks, commodities, and treasury bills, as well as the importance of savings and investments. It was an unforgettable experience; I made new friends, painted, and even learnt how to play some games that I had never played before”.
Also commenting on the Programme, Ms. Tumi Sekoni, Group Chief Operating Officer of FMDQ Group, said, “We are delighted by the energy, curiosity, and dedication shown by the students during the 2025 Summer Camp Programme. The Programme successfully achieved its aim of combining classroom learning with practical exposure, offering participants a first-hand experience of the financial markets. We sincerely appreciate the students and their parents/guardians for their confidence in us, and we extend our best wishes to all participants as they continue their academic journeys and personal growth”.
As the FMDQ-Next Summer Camp Programme concludes another remarkable edition, FMDQ Group reaffirms its dedication to equipping young minds with the knowledge and skills required for a financially literate future. Since the launch of the FMDQ-Next in July 2018, over one thousand, three hundred and seventy (1,370) participants, from primary school pupils to fresh graduates, have been positively impacted through: six (6) Summer Camps, nine (9) Excursions; eight (8) Virtual Financial Literacy Sessions; nineteen (19) Trading Challenges; and fifteen (15) Internships. The FMDQ-Next initiative stands as a testament to FMDQ Group’s unwavering commitment to fostering innovative initiatives that secure a sustainable financial future for the next generation.