Popoola: Capital Market Must Drive Inclusive, Responsible Wealth Creation

Nigeria's capital market must evolve beyond simply generating wealth to ensuring that prosperity is inclusive, sustainable, and underpinned by strong governance, according to Temi Popoola, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group).

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When we talk about wealth creation, the question is no longer whether wealth can be created. The more important question is how it is created, who participates in it, and what impact it leaves behind.

Speaking at the 2026 Nairametrics Capital Market Awards in Lagos, Popoola asserted that the Nigerian economy's future resilience hinges not only on its capacity to create wealth but crucially on the methods of its creation, distribution, and preservation. He addressed regulators, investors, and market operators, identifying the capital market as a vital engine for mobilizing capital into productive sectors, fostering innovation, generating employment, and driving long-term economic development.

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In this environment, potential is not enough. What attracts capital is confidence in institutions, governance and market integrity.

"When we talk about wealth creation, the question is no longer whether wealth can be created. The more important question is how it is created, who participates in it, and what impact it leaves behind," Popoola stated. He noted that global investors increasingly favor markets demonstrating transparency, resilience, and sound governance. "In this environment, potential is not enough. What attracts capital is confidence in institutions, governance and market integrity," he added.

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A strong capital market is one that broadens access and participation across geography, gender, age and background. Wealth creation only becomes meaningful when it is widely accessible.

Popoola stressed that responsible wealth creation necessitates a shift from short-term gains to sustainable value, with businesses, investors, and regulators embracing accountability and transparency. He emphasized inclusion, arguing that market development reaches its full potential only when investment opportunities are accessible to a broader societal spectrum. The rise in retail investor participation, fueled by enhanced financial literacy and digital innovation, was cited as a positive development. Platforms like NGX Invest have been instrumental, facilitating capital raises exceeding N2.8 trillion and onboarding over two million retail investors in 2025, thereby democratizing access to wealth creation opportunities.

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Beyond the numbers, this demonstrated how technology can democratise access to investment opportunities and connect more Nigerians directly to wealth creation.