New nationwide initiative will train corps members to educate communities on safe investment practices and capital market awareness…..
Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission has partnered with the National Youth Service Corps to integrate anti-Ponzi scheme education into the NYSC programme, aiming to strengthen financial literacy among young Nigerians.
The collaboration, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), was announced jointly on Sunday, March 22, 2026, and will embed financial education into the NYSC’s Education and Enlightenment Community Development Service (CDS) programme.
Building financially aware youth
SEC Director-General, Emomotimi Agama, emphasised the strategic role of corps members in expanding financial literacy nationwide.
“We have NYSC members at the SEC in the range of 160–180, and there is no other institution in this country that can boast of that,” he said.
“We believe that we can train them for the market, for the nation, and for themselves. There is no corps member who has gone through the NYSC scheme at the SEC who has regretted it.”
Agama added that the initiative addresses the growing threat of Ponzi schemes while promoting long-term investment discipline among Nigerian youths.
How the programme will work
Under the MoU:
- The SEC will develop training modules, educational materials, and content on capital market operations and safe investment practices.
- Selected corps members and NYSC officials will receive training to serve as facilitators and peer educators.
- The NYSC will integrate anti-Ponzi education into its CDS framework via workshops, orientation sessions, and community awareness campaigns.
- Corps members will reach local communities, targeting young and inexperienced investors most vulnerable to fraudulent schemes.
By leveraging the NYSC’s nationwide reach, the initiative aims to scale investor education efficiently, boosting trust in regulated investment channels.
Nationwide impact and monitoring
The programme also includes mechanisms for tracking progress and assessing impact across all Local Government Areas. Both organisations plan to use digital platforms, traditional media, and grassroots outreach to maximise reach.
NYSC Director-General, Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, described the partnership as a “strategic milestone” aligned with the scheme’s broader youth development objectives.
Tackling a persistent challenge
Ponzi schemes remain a major threat to inexperienced investors. By embedding financial literacy into national programmes, the SEC and NYSC hope to curb vulnerability and promote informed decision-making.
The initiative represents a proactive step in ensuring young Nigerians not only avoid fraudulent schemes but also gain the confidence and knowledge to participate safely in Nigeria’s capital markets.
About the Author
