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National Assembly Introduces Jail Terms For Ponzi Scheme Promoters
The Investment and Securities Bill, which might result in jail time for people who advocate Ponzi schemes in Nigeria has been passed by the National Assembly.
The Investment and Securities Service Bill 2023 finally scaled through the final hurdle of the National Assembly when the Senate passed it on March 29.
The bill, which is expected to aid the functioning of the capital market and facilitate the ongoing economic diversification in the country, had been passed by the House of Representatives in December. It is only awaiting presidential assent to become law.
At the plenary, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, stated that the bill is expected to protect investors, adequately regulate the market, reduce systemic risks as well as provide for more stringent punishment for operators of Ponzi schemes.
He said, “The bill for an act to repeal the Investments and Securities Act 2007 Act No. 29 2007 and enact the Investments and Securities Bill 2023 to service the SEC as the apex regulatory authority for the Nigerian capital market as well as regulation of the market to ensure capital formation, to protect investors, maintain fair, efficient and transparent market and reduction of systemic risk and for related matters is hereby passed.”
Speaking as of the time the House of Representatives passed the bill, the Chairman of the House Committee on Capital Markets and Institutions, Babangida Ibrahim, stated that the ISB 2023 was capable of transforming the capital market, attracting foreign investors as well as boosting investors’ confidence, among others.
Ibrahim said, “The bill seeks to repeal the existing Investments and Securities Act 2007 and to establish a new market infrastructure and wide-ranging system of regulation of investments and securities businesses in Nigeria, especially in the areas of derivatives, systematic risk management, financial market infrastructure and Ponzi scheme and platforms.”
One of the developments that the new bill brings is the prohibition of Ponzi/Pyramid schemes, which have led to the loss of billions of naira on the part of victims and also affected confidence in the investment climate in Nigeria.
The passed bill prohibits Ponzi/pyramid schemes as well as other illegal investment schemes and prescribes a jail term of not less than 10 years for promoters of such schemes.
Ponzi schemes, also known as pyramid sales schemes, are a money laundering system where investors are lured in with the promise of high returns on investment after a specified period.
The system runs in a somewhat cyclic fashion by paying old investors with deposits of new investors. Usually, this cycle becomes unsustainable when the backlog of old investors eligible for payments exceeds the investments coming into the system.
According to Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission, three million Nigerians lost N18bn when the popular Ponzi scheme, Mavrodi Mundial Movement aka MMM, crashed in 2016. As of 2022, Nigerians have lost over N300bn in Ponzi schemes in five years, according to a report generated by the Norrenberger Financial Investments scheme.
The promoters of a popular investment scheme, Ovaioza Farm Produce Storage Business Limited, are facing prosecution for luring members of the public to an unregistered collective investment scheme. The promoters, Imu Yunusa and Goodness Omeiza have been accused of defrauding their victims up to N2bn.
Reacting to the introduction of the prohibition of Ponzi schemes, Chief Executive Officer of Enterprise Stockbrokers, Mr Rotimi Fakayejo, said that the move was long overdue and a welcome idea.
He said, “I remember very well, this Ponzi scheme that got a lot of people in trouble, MMM. In the end, it is not just about people losing money. It is the disinterestedness in investing. First, they invested in the wrong window and ultimately, they will not invest again.
“Some foolishly and gullibly invested in it and some because of ignorance entered into it and others because of greed. Those who entered into it because of greed know what they were doing, they are just greedy. But the ones who get into it ignorantly, not knowing that such schemes are not authorised by the SEC are the ones who may never enter into any viable or regulated investment window again. Every economy needs investment, for money to be revolving through profitable channels.”
Fakayejo also argued that both those who get involved in Ponzi schemes and their promoters should be punished, albeit, the sanctions would be different.
He said, “The person who goes into it should get a small punishment and the person that starts the scheme should get a huge penalty. For anything, you are supposed to make findings.”
Regarding the proposed jail term of not less than 10 years, Fakayejo stated that the inclusion of asset forfeiture and also a fine of 10-20 per cent of the amount of money collected from victims may not be a bad idea.
Expressing a divergent opinion on the Ponzi scheme prohibition, the National Chairman of the Progressives Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Boniface Okezie, stated that Ponzi schemes have been embraced in other places.
“The Ponzi scheme has worked elsewhere; people have embraced it but the Nigerian market has not embraced it and SEC said that it is not known to them and that it is a scam and so they cannot allow Nigerians to patronize it.”
Okezie also accused the National Assembly of copying foreign laws that may have little or no impact on the Nigerian scene and doubted that the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) would sign the bill before the expiration of his tenure next month.
The PSAN boss said, “I do not think the outgoing president will assent to that bill before he leaves office on May 29 because previous bills sent to him, it took him time to assent, not to talk of now that he is going for retirement.”
Speaking on some highlights of the bill in a statement released after the Senate passed the bill, the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Lamido Yuguda, said that a recommendation was made in the bill for the inclusion of the National Pension Commission on the SEC board for increased collaboration between the two agencies, particularly to encourage greater investment of pension funds and in capital market products/instruments.
This is a welcome development, according to stakeholders, given the visible role that pension funds play in the capital market already.
Capital market operator, Fakayejo, said that Pencom having a seat on the board of SEC was long overdue.
He said, “The pension funds have been a major investor in the capital market. Look at all the major instruments, either bonds or equities, commercial papers, at the different classes of bonds, whichever way you want to look at it, the pension funds are the largest investors. So, I believe they should have a say in how the market is being regulated.”
Okezie also agreed, saying that the pension funds had been a major player in the capital market.
He said, “The Pension Fund has contributed to a large extent to what are seeing today of the rallying in the capital market. If they are investing in the SEC-regulated market, they should be mindful of where they invest their money so that their money does not get trapped when they need to pay those retirees.”
Commenting on the bill being able to boost investors’ confidence and attract foreign investments like the Chairman of the House Committee on Capital Markets and Institutions, had boasted, Fakayejo, pointed out that the reasons foreign investors left and are leaving are still very much around.
He said the unstable exchange rate was a major deterrent for foreign investors.
“I don’t see anything in the bill that is a plus for foreign portfolio investment. You and I know that the reason they are not here or why they have taken away their money is the instability of the naira. That has been the basic reason they (FPIs) are not here.”
Professor Olawale Ajai of the Lagos Business School also agreed that the country’s business environment has not been investment-friendly.
Ajai said, “Insecurity and the opaque naira foreign exchange regime have not helped in recent times, in spite of strenuous efforts on ‘doing business reforms.’”
Others highlights of the bill include the expansion of the categories of issuers as a key step towards the introduction of innovations and offerings such as crowd-funding as well as the facilitation of “commercial and investment business activities”, subject to the approval of the commission and other stipulated controls.
The bill also expands the definition of a Collective Investment Scheme to include schemes offered privately to qualified investors, and contains an entirely new part which regulates Commodity Exchanges and Warehouse Receipts.
The SEC DG said that the new parts of the bill “are essential for developing the entire gamut of the Commodities ecosystem”.
According to him, a new part on the management of systemic risk has been introduced, covering the following themes: monitoring, management and mitigation of systemic risk in the Nigerian capital market; arrangements with other regulators relating to information required from entities that are regulated by other regulators; sharing of information between financial sector regulatory authorities or government agencies; and use of a legal entity identifier to provide for proper monitoring of systemic risks.
The proposed legislation categorizes Securities Exchanges as either composite or non-composite exchanges. A composite exchange allows for the listing and trading of all types of securities and products, whereas a non-composite exchange specializes in a single type of security or product.
Additionally, the bill expands the responsibilities of exchanges and outlines clear guidelines for revoking registration. It also introduces new provisions regarding Financial Market Infrastructures, such as Central Counter Parties, Clearing Houses, and Trade Depositories.
Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves have climbed above $55 billion, while non-oil exports have reportedly overtaken crude oil exports for the first time, signalling a shift in the country’s foreign exchange earnings.
The development comes amid increased domestic refining, efforts to improve dollar liquidity and renewed moves by the Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to strengthen economic coordination.
The changing export pattern is a key development for an economy that has depended heavily on crude oil for export earnings and government revenue.
For decades, crude oil dominated Nigeria’s export earnings.
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However, rising exports of refined petroleum products, natural gas, urea and other non-crude commodities are reshaping the country’s trade profile.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that non-crude exports stood at N14.11 trillion in the second quarter of 2026, surpassing crude oil exports valued at N12.91 trillion.
The figures point to the growing contribution of non-crude products to Nigeria’s export earnings, although petroleum-related products remain a major component of the increase.
The expansion of domestic refining capacity, particularly the Dangote Refinery, has strengthened Nigeria’s ability to process crude oil locally and potentially export refined products.
Previously, Nigeria exported crude oil while spending substantial foreign exchange on importing refined petroleum products. Increased domestic refining could help reduce import dependence and create additional export opportunities.
Despite the reported growth, questions remain about the sustainability of the trend and the extent to which agriculture, manufacturing and other non-oil sectors are contributing to the expansion.
Meanwhile, the rise in foreign reserves to more than $55 billion provides the CBN with additional foreign exchange buffers to meet international obligations and respond to pressures in the currency market.
The improvement comes as the government intensifies efforts to attract investment, strengthen external liquidity and improve confidence in the Nigerian economy.
The Federal Government and the CBN have also moved to improve coordination between fiscal and monetary policies through a memorandum of understanding signed on September 18.
The agreement is designed to promote closer cooperation on inflation, economic growth, government financing, liquidity management and foreign exchange conditions.
The authorities are also seeking to improve economic data sharing and strengthen policies aimed at addressing rising production, food, energy and logistics costs.
While stronger reserves and higher exports could improve Nigeria’s external position, sustaining the gains will require continued growth in production, export diversification and measures that support businesses operating in the non-oil economy.
Ingentia Energies Limited has said it is targeting an expansion of its drilling operations after increasing its oil production by 150 per cent under the leadership of Engr Charles Odita as the company’s acting Chief Executive Officer.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Oseni Elamah, following a meeting in Lagos attended by Agbaroji and the outgoing CEO, Odita, after Victor Agbaroji assumed office as the company’s new Managing Director and CEO.
The board commended Odita for what it described as transformational leadership, noting that “production increased by 150 per cent during his tenure, from 2,200 barrels per day”.
Elamah extended congratulations and appreciation to Odita, describing his tenure as transformational and characterised by strategic clarity, decisive execution and exceptional leadership.
Agbaroji, who succeeded Odita, expressed appreciation for the achievements recorded under his predecessor and pledged to build on the foundation already established.
He identified enhancing drilling operations, maximising the value of existing assets, improving cost competitiveness, expanding the company’s portfolio and unlocking greater value from its gas resources as key priorities for the next phase of growth.
“Our immediate focus is to strengthen the next phase of our drilling campaign by leveraging the seismic acquisition programme currently underway.
This will enable us to execute a more robust and efficient drilling programme while improving exploration outcomes and operational performance,” Agbaroji said.
He also stressed the importance of crude oil evacuation infrastructure to future production growth, saying the company would intensify efforts to advance its pipeline evacuation project.
Agbaroji reaffirmed management’s commitment to sustaining the momentum achieved under Odita, adding that the company would continue to benefit from the experience and institutional knowledge developed during his tenure.
The leadership transition is expected to consolidate Ingentia’s recent gains, expand production capacity, improve operational efficiency and strengthen its position as an indigenous energy company.
A prominent royal father has mounted a spirited defence of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (DPRP), dismissing criticisms of the Initial Public Offering (IPO) and challenging detractors to replicate its scale by raising the estimated $22 billion required to build a competing refinery.
The Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II, on Thursday made the remarks during the DPRP’s “People’s IPO” roadshow in Kano, where he passionately advocated broader Nigerian participation in the IPO as a pathway to wealth creation and economic inclusion.
Addressing a gathering of investors, business leaders, professionals and members of the public, the former Central Bank Governor described the refinery as one of the most significant industrial projects in Africa’s history and urged Kano residents to seize the opportunity to become shareholders.
According to the Emir, equity ownership represents one of the most effective means through which ordinary citizens can participate directly in national economic growth and build long-term financial security.
“Kano is a commercial city with a long tradition of trade, investment and entrepreneurship. Our people understand business, and they should understand the value of owning shares in productive enterprises,” he said.
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Drawing from personal experience, Sanusi recounted his interactions with Aliko Dangote during his banking career in the late 1990s when Dangote Group was evolving from a trading company into a manufacturing powerhouse.
The Emir revealed that many observers at the time questioned Dangote’s strategy of deploying short-term financing to support long-term industrial investments. However, he noted that what critics considered risky was actually a demonstration of strategic foresight and a deep commitment to transforming Nigeria’s productive capacity.
Recalling the philosophy that drove the company’s industrial expansion, the monarch said the vision was anchored on a simple principle: producing domestically what Nigerians consume daily instead of relying excessively on imports.
“Somebody needs to produce the petrol for your cars, somebody needs to produce the cement for your houses, somebody needs to produce the food that you eat. We are importing these things from Asia, Europe and America. Our strategy is to produce those things here,” he stated.
The Emir described the Dangote Refinery as a game-changing investment that could fundamentally alter the structure of the Nigerian economy by reducing dependence on imported petroleum products and preserving foreign exchange.
Drawing on his experience at the nation’s apex bank, Sanusi explained that Nigeria had historically earned foreign exchange through crude oil exports only to expend a substantial portion of it importing refined fuel.
“What Aliko has done is disrupt that model,” he said.
According to him, the emergence of a world-class refinery on Nigerian soil positions the country not merely as an exporter of crude oil but as a major supplier of refined petroleum products to regional and international markets.
As evidence of the refinery’s growing global relevance, he cited reports that European airlines had sourced aviation fuel from the facility during recent supply disruptions linked to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring its ability to compete effectively on the global stage.
Sanusi also addressed concerns raised by critics who have accused the refinery of seeking market dominance. The monarch firmly rejected such claims, arguing that competition remains open to anyone willing to undertake the financial and operational challenges associated with large-scale refining.
“There is no monopoly if a monopoly is not protected by law,” he declared.
“Anybody who wants to build a refinery, anybody who wants to raise $22 billion, invest and go through what Aliko went through is welcome to do so.”
The comment drew applause from participants at the roadshow, many of whom viewed the statement as a direct response to persistent criticism of the refinery’s market influence.
The Emir stressed that Nigeria’s economic future depends on encouraging more investments in productive industries capable of creating jobs, generating exports and strengthening local value chains. He warned against a culture that prioritises speculation and the accumulation of overseas assets at the expense of domestic industrial development.
He therefore described the Dangote Refinery IPO as a historic opportunity for millions of Nigerians to own a stake in one of Africa’s most strategic industrial assets.
“It is the shareholders who own it. It is the shareholders who take the returns. It is the shareholders who own the profits,” he said.
While encouraging broad participation, the respected traditional ruler advised prospective investors to approach the market responsibly. He urged citizens to invest only funds they could afford to commit for the long term and not resources earmarked for essential family needs.
In his closing remarks, Sanusi called on Kano residents and Nigerians generally to embrace the capital market and take advantage of the IPO, arguing that widespread ownership would democratise wealth generation and deepen public participation in national economic development.
He said broader participation in the Dangote Refinery IPO would not only reward investors financially but also strengthen local ownership of critical national infrastructure, expand financial inclusion and ensure that the benefits of industrialisation are shared more widely across the country.
“The opportunity is here. The question is whether you will participate,” the Emir told the audience.
The DPRP IPO roadshow, tagged “Kano Grand Homecoming,” brought together leading figures from Nigeria’s business, investment and financial sectors, including Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Industries Limited; Bismarck Rewane, Managing Director of Financial Derivatives Company; Adetilewa Adebajo, CEO of CFG Advisory; and other capital market stakeholders.
Photo Caption – From Left: Emir of Kano, His Highness, Muhammadu Sanusi II (Special Guest of Honour & Chairman); President/CE, Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery IPO Roadshow tagged “Kano Grand Homecoming” in Kano on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
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