SEC raises capital requirements for market operators, sets June 2027 deadline
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced a sweeping increase in the minimum capital requirements for all categories of capital market operators (CMOs), setting June 2027 as the compliance deadline.
In a circular issued on Friday, the regulator said the revised thresholds are aimed at improving the resilience of Nigeria’s capital market and strengthening investor protection.
According to the SEC, the review reflects the need for stronger, better-capitalised operators that can withstand market shocks and support sustainable market development.
Under the new framework, the minimum capital requirement for tier-2 issuing houses with underwriting functions has been raised to N7 billion, a sharp increase from the previous N200 million.
Similarly, trustees are now required to maintain a minimum capital base of N2 billion, up from N300 million.
The commission said the new requirements will apply across all categories of market operators, with affected firms expected to meet the revised thresholds before the June 2027 deadline.
