The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) has inducted 103 newly qualified Authorised Dealing Clerks into the Nigerian capital market, charging them to uphold strict ethical standards and avoid market infractions as they commence professional practice.
The Exchange said the induction was part of its efforts to strengthen professional capacity, promote market integrity and deepen compliance with regulatory and operational standards across Nigeria’s securities market.
The new dealing clerks successfully completed NGX’s 15-day Automated Trading System (ATS) Brokers’ Certification Programme, which equips participants with knowledge of the structure and operations of the capital market, trading procedures, compliance requirements and the operational framework of the Exchange.
Speaking at the induction ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer of NGX, Jude Chiemeka, congratulated the newly qualified dealing clerks and urged them to make professionalism, integrity and ethical conduct central to their careers.
Chiemeka said the successful completion of the certification programme demonstrated that the inductees had met the required academic and professional standards and secured the necessary regulatory approvals to practise as Authorised Dealing Clerks.
“Today, we celebrate the outstanding achievements of the candidates who have successfully completed the Nigerian Exchange’s Automated Trading System Brokers’ Certification Programme,” he said.
According to him, the programme was designed not only to build the technical competence of aspiring market professionals but also to strengthen their capacity and character in line with the responsibilities associated with operating within the capital market.
He stressed that technical knowledge must be matched by strong ethical standards, given the role dealing clerks play in facilitating transactions and maintaining confidence in the integrity of the market.
Chiemeka also reiterated NGX’s zero-tolerance position on market infractions, urging the new professionals to comply strictly with the Exchange’s rules and applicable regulatory requirements.
He said the ceremonial robes presented to the inductees symbolised their commitment to the ethical principles of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) and the NGX Rulebook.
The NGX CEO therefore charged the new dealing clerks to recognise that their responsibilities extend beyond executing buy and sell orders, as their conduct could have wider implications for investor confidence and the credibility of the Nigerian capital market.
Also speaking at the event, the Doyen of the Market, Rasheed Yusuf, said stockbrokers occupy an important position in the development of Nigeria’s capital market and the broader economy.
Yusuf noted that the responsibilities of stockbrokers go beyond trade execution to include facilitating capital mobilisation, deepening market liquidity, providing investment guidance and expanding participation among retail and diaspora investors.
He urged the newly inducted professionals to take advantage of the opportunities available across the capital market to contribute meaningfully to economic development.
“The Exchange and the capital market constitute a platform to turn around the fortunes of the Nigerian economy, and I encourage you to leverage every channel available to create impact,” Yusuf said.
Yusuf also advised the new dealing clerks to remain proactive and continuously update their knowledge, particularly as technological, regulatory and market developments continue to reshape the securities industry.
He emphasised the importance of lifelong learning and professional development, noting that market practitioners must remain abreast of developments in order to effectively serve investors and contribute to market growth.
The Chairman of the Governing Council of the Association of Securities Dealing Houses of Nigeria (ASHON), Sehinde Adenagbe, also urged the inductees to maintain strict adherence to market rules and professional standards.
Similarly, the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, Fiona Ahimie, stressed the importance of ethical conduct and professionalism among practitioners in sustaining investor confidence.
The speakers highlighted the critical role of market professionals in ensuring that investors operate in a transparent, orderly and well-regulated environment.
They noted that adherence to established rules and ethical standards would be essential to strengthening confidence in the Nigerian capital market and supporting its continued development.
The latest induction brings additional qualified professionals into the market at a time when the Exchange and other stakeholders are seeking to deepen investor participation, improve market efficiency and strengthen the institutional framework supporting Nigeria’s securities industry.
Through its certification programme, NGX continues to provide a structured pathway for aspiring dealing clerks to acquire the technical knowledge and professional competencies required to participate in the capital market.
The Exchange said the programme also reinforces the importance of competence, compliance and ethical responsibility among market practitioners, particularly those directly involved in facilitating transactions and interacting with investors.
For the 103 newly inducted dealing clerks, the completion of the programme marks the beginning of their professional responsibilities in a market where strict compliance, integrity and continuous learning remain critical to maintaining investor confidence and supporting the orderly development of Nigeria’s capital market.
