Babajide Sanwo-Olu has pledged support for the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) in its drive to establish a N5 billion endowment fund for professional training and capacity development in Nigeria’s capital market.
Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance on Friday, when CIS President and Chairman of Council, Dr Fiona Ahimie, led a delegation of the Institute’s principal officers on a courtesy visit to Lagos House, Ikeja.
The governor urged the Institute to deepen capital market participation and expand financial literacy campaigns, noting that greater public understanding of investment opportunities was essential to unlocking the market’s wealth-creation potential.
He said his administration was willing to support initiatives that promote financial literacy and develop the professional expertise needed to strengthen the market, while encouraging the Institute to help more Nigerians look beyond immediate financial needs towards savings and investment.
Sanwo-Olu also congratulated Ahimie on becoming the first female president of CIS, describing her emergence as a significant milestone and urging the new Council to sustain the Institute’s work in professionalism, public engagement and capacity development.
Earlier, Ahimie disclosed that CIS was collaborating with the Office of the Vice President on a programme to train 10 million Nigerians in financial literacy and capital market participation.
She said the initiative would improve public understanding of investment opportunities and encourage broader participation, particularly among young Nigerians.
Ahimie also announced that the Institute’s 30th Annual Conference, scheduled for November 4 and 5 in Lagos, would examine strategies for mobilising capital, advancing economic prosperity and strengthening Nigeria’s global competitiveness.
She stressed the importance of stronger government-industry collaboration in expanding investment awareness, developing skilled practitioners and deepening the capital market.
The visit was attended by CIS First and Second Vice Presidents, Dr Akeem Oyewale and Jude Chiemeka; Registrar and Chief Executive Ayorinde Adeonipekun; past presidents; and serving Council members.
The proposed endowment fund and the financial literacy initiative reflect the Institute’s efforts to strengthen professional capacity while widening access to investment opportunities in Nigeria.