Yemisi Izuora
The Nigerian Capital Market is taken fresh measures to be among top global market in competition and development as it prepares to launch of the Association of Securities Exchange of Nigeria (ASEN).
Oriental News reports that the ASEN, is Nigeria’s first association of domestic securities exchanges, and is a non-profit industry association established to accelerate the development of domestic securities exchanges and support the Nigerian capital market to achieve greater global competitiveness.
Membership of the association currently includes AFEX Commodities Exchange (AFEX), FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange (FMDQ), NASD OTC Securities Exchange (NASD), Nigeria Commodity Exchange (NCX) and The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).
Special guests slated to attend the Launch in Lagos include the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Capital Markets and Institutions, Hon. Yusuf Tajudeen; Ag. Director-General of the Securities and Exchanges Commission (SEC), Mrs. Mary Uduk; Director-General, Debt Management Office (DMO), Mrs. Patience Oniha; Mr. Tony Elumelu CON, Chairman, Heirs Holding (investors in AFEX Commodities Exchange) and Mr. Abimbola Ogunbanjo, President, National Council of The Nigerian Stock Exchange.
Speaking on the development, Mr. Oscar N. Onyema OON, Chairman, ASEN Board of Trustees and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), NSE, noted that “we are excited to launch ASEN, an association that will help build a stronger capital market and cultivate a culture of mutual support and collaboration among stakeholders. Global securities exchanges are responding to developments in the operating environment and competitive landscape, by establishing mechanisms for cooperation that position not only their businesses but their markets to become more attractive to investors. Nigerian securities exchanges must therefore embrace a broader collaborative effort to unlock new opportunities and efficiencies in view of increasing global competition. The establishment of this Association is a bold step towards the actualization of that vision of becoming globally competitive trading venues”.
Mr. Bola Ajomale, Member, Board of Trustees, ASEN and CEO, NASD Plc. stated, “This event is the culmination of deliberate cooperation between the various exchanges in the Nigerian capital market. Collaboration between exchanges in this manner will ensure some level of uniformity and consistency in governance whilst allowing each member to continue along its natural trajectory. Ultimately key stakeholders in the Nigerian capital market – Regulators, issuers, investors and operators will be the real beneficiaries. We also believe the existence of such an association will significantly support market structure in Nigeria.”
Other distinguished members of the Board of Trustees, ASEN include: Mr. Ayodeji Balogun (representing AFEX), Ms. Zaheera Baba-Ari (representing NCX) and Mr. Bola Onadele. Koko (representing FMDQ).