National Orientation Agency, SEC To Intensify Campaigns Against Rising Illegal Investment Schemes
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in a strategic partnership, have agreed to intensify public enlightenment campaigns against illegal investment schemes across Nigeria.
The development was disclosed by SEC Director-General, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, during a meeting with NOA Director-General, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, in Abuja on Thursday.
The collaboration signals a strategic shift toward combining regulatory enforcement with nationwide education, as authorities seek to curb recurring Ponzi-style schemes and restore confidence in the regulated capital market.
SEC said it is scaling efforts to combat illegal investment schemes by leveraging the NOA’s nationwide communication network to expand investor education.
The Commission noted that rising economic hardship and financial illiteracy have increased the vulnerability of Nigerians to fraudulent platforms.
According to Agama, “The capital market remains a critical vehicle for national development, but widespread misinformation and financial illiteracy continue to expose citizens to exploitative schemes.
“We are stepping beyond regulatory enforcement to embrace mass education as a preventive strategy.”
“Many Nigerians fall victim not by choice but due to economic pressure and limited awareness of legitimate investment channels.”
SEC also added that illegal schemes are evolving rapidly, making proactive communication and consistent public sensitisation essential to protecting investors.
Agama stressed that collaboration with the NOA is critical to ensuring investor protection messages reach communities nationwide. He described the agency’s grassroots presence as a strategic asset in delivering accessible and timely information to both urban and rural populations.
SEC noted that new fraudulent investment platforms are emerging frequently, often disguised as digital wealth-building opportunities.