Nigeria's capital market has enjoyed a strong rally lately, but that growth alone won't last forever. The Capital Market Solicitors' Association (CMSA) is sounding an alarm about the need for deeper structural foundations.
At a press conference this week, CMSA Summit Planning Committee Chairman H.E. Mohammed A.
Abubakar, SAN, warned that bullish sentiment cannot substitute for solid regulatory architecture. He stressed that the country must build institutions capable of weathering economic storms and policy upheavals.
Abubakar spoke ahead of the CMSA Annual Business Summit 2026, set for July 1 in Lagos. This year's gathering will zero in on market permanence beyond the current bull run.
"We must focus on building structural resilience by creating robust systems, clear regulatory frameworks and enduring institutions that can withstand economic volatility, policy shifts and global uncertainties," he said. According to him, a resilient market serves as the engine for long-term job creation and wealth generation.
Nigeria has certainly attracted fresh investor interest in recent months. Both domestic and foreign players have jumped into the market, and indices have climbed steadily.
But Abubakar cautioned that these gains risk evaporating without institutional backing.
Legal practitioners, regulators, market operators, policymakers and investors will converge in Lagos for the summit. They'll examine strategies to strengthen market infrastructure and boost Nigeria's standing in Africa.
One major session will tackle "Regulations to Operations: Digital & Virtual Assets in Practice." Officials from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and key market operators will participate. The discussion will focus on how digital asset regulations work in real-world scenarios.
A senior government finance official will deliver the keynote address. High-level panels, Q&A sessions and networking opportunities will round out the programme.
Abubakar noted that organisers expect concrete policy recommendations to emerge from the summit. He said the event aims to strengthen market stability while reinforcing the role of capital market solicitors in protecting investor interests and promoting innovation.
Collaboration among all stakeholders will be crucial, he added. Regulators, lawyers, market players and investors must work together toward a more competitive financial system.
He called on the entire financial ecosystem to show up and engage. Nigeria's broader economic development depends on getting the capital market right, he stressed.
