NGX Chairman urges youths to embrace long-term investment, shun Ponzi schemes
Nike Popoola
The Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group), Dr. Umaru Kwairanga, has called on Nigerian youths to cultivate a culture of long-term savings and investment, describing it as a critical foundation for personal wealth creation and national economic development.
Kwairanga made the call while delivering a keynote address at the 2026 Colloquium of the Investment Society, University of Lagos, held at the institution’s Main Auditorium.
Speaking on the theme, “Unlocking a New Era,” the NGX Group chairman said Nigeria has paid a heavy price for neglecting long-term savings, investment and entrepreneurship, noting that many citizens continue to manage their finances on a day-to-day basis with little or no financial buffer.
According to him, many Nigerians also mistake investment for schemes that promise unrealistic returns within a short period, while entrepreneurs often rely on costly short-term bank loans instead of accessing cheaper long-term capital through the capital market.
He said, “Careful and skillful investing is a sure way to boost one’s net worth. It provides additional sources of income and creates a financial buffer for difficult times.”
Kwairanga stressed that a strong savings and investment culture would provide capital for businesses and infrastructure development, reduce Nigeria’s dependence on expensive foreign loans and support sustainable economic growth.
He encouraged students and young Nigerians to begin saving early and invest funds not immediately needed for daily expenses in productive assets such as stocks, bonds, real estate and commodities.
The NGX chairman also urged young investors to understand the importance of diversification and maintaining a balance between risk and return when making investment decisions.
He warned students against Ponzi and pyramid schemes that lure investors with promises of extraordinary returns within a short period, saying such schemes often have no genuine investment backing.
Kwairanga reaffirmed the Nigerian Exchange’s commitment to investor education, describing it as one of the institution’s core mandates.
“The Nigerian Exchange is ready and willing to partner with the Investment Society in promoting investor education and broadening Nigeria’s investor base,” he said.
He explained that beyond facilitating trading in securities, the Exchange serves as a platform for entrepreneurs, companies and governments to raise long-term capital.
He also challenged innovative students and young entrepreneurs, particularly those within the University of Lagos, to consider the Nigerian Exchange as a viable avenue for raising capital and taking their businesses public when the time is right.
Kwairanga commended the Investment Society for promoting financial literacy among students and expressed optimism that such initiatives would help build a stronger investment culture across the country.
