NSE Moves to Facilitate Islamic Finance in Nigeria

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), in partnership with REDmoney Group, is set to hold the inaugural edition of the Islamic Finance Nigeria (IFN) Nigeria forum themed: “Harnessing the Islamic finance sector for infrastructure development and economic growth” on Tuesday. The forum is aimed at promoting the growth and development of the Nigerian Islamic finance industry and facilitate the growth of a new asset class in the capital market.

The forum, which will be headlined by Acting DirectorGeneral, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Mary Uduk, will bring together speakers, comprising senior industry players, decision makers, regulators and investors, to exchange their views and experiences on opportunities in the Nigerian Islamic finance market. It will feature a mix of panel sessions, onstage interviews and interactive sessions on a number of themes in Islamic finance including, Corporate Financing and Capital Raising in Nigeria. Other speakers expected at the Debt Nigeria, event Management Ms are: Patience Director-General, Office Oniha; of Acting Director-General, National Pension Commission, Hajia Aisha Dahir-Umar; Managing Director/ CEO, Lotus Capital, Hajara Adeola; Partner, Udo Udoma & Belo Osagie, Adeola Sunmola and Head, Debt Capital Markets, FBNQuest Merchant Bank, Oluseun Olatidoye. Speaking on the forum, Head, Trading Business Division, NSE, Mr. Jude Chiemeka, said: “Islamic assets are gaining momentum as an alternative investment avenue in Nigeria and globally.” According to him, the forum affirms the exchange’s commitment to stimulating noninterest capital market products innovation.

“It will offer us the opportunity to deepen our engagement with our stakeholder. It will also provide us with important insights that will enable us to take a leap forward in the development of innovative and practical solutions to propel the Islamic capital market which will aid Nigeria in achieving its sustainable development agenda,” he said.