The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Nigeria, in close partnership with the Federal Ministry of Education and Core International, has launched a national initiative aimed at deepening financial literacy across secondary schools. The programme, officially titled the Nigerian Capital Market – Secondary Schools Quiz Competition, is supported by Financial Markets Indaba, an organisation with an established record in market education and civic engagement.
Scheduled to commence in September 2025, the six-month competition will involve 370 secondary schools from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Ten schools from each state will participate in a three-tier format comprising state-level preliminaries, zonal semi-finals, and a national grand finale. This structure has been designed to ensure balanced representation and foster a competitive academic atmosphere across Nigeria’s diverse regions.
The overarching objective of this programme is to create a new generation of financially literate young Nigerians capable of making informed economic decisions. By equipping students with foundational knowledge in investment, savings, and capital markets, the initiative aligns with the SEC’s long-standing mandate to promote investor education and market participation. These aims are consistent with Nigeria’s broader economic development policies, which increasingly recognise the significance of financial inclusion in driving long-term national growth.
An important facet of this programme lies in its dual focus on both student and teacher engagement. Educators from participating institutions will undergo professional development through a dedicated training workshop. This is intended not only to support the immediate academic preparation required for the quiz but also to facilitate the integration of financial literacy into the long-term secondary school curriculum. The training materials and instruction will align with national education standards, thereby enhancing both the quality and sustainability of the initiative.
Furthermore, students will gain hands-on exposure to the workings of financial markets through access to a Virtual Trading Platform, which employs real-time market data from the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX). This platform allows students to simulate trading activities in a risk-free environment, providing experiential learning that complements the theoretical components of the curriculum. The use of real market data not only increases student engagement but also imparts a practical understanding of portfolio management and the implications of investment decisions.
The quiz competition is being hosted and administered through the Financial Markets Indaba, a sister organisation of Core International. With extensive experience in financial education and market advocacy, Financial Markets Indaba will ensure the event is delivered with credibility, educational rigour, and professional oversight. The presence of multiple oversight bodies in adjudication further reinforces the integrity and impartiality of the competition process.
Participation is open to both public and private secondary schools, with the intention of fostering inclusivity and educational equity. The theme of the competition—Empowering Future Investors through Knowledge—is reflective of its ambition to lay a foundation for a more robust and participatory capital market. Students will engage with topics such as savings, investment options, market infrastructure, and economic principles, while simultaneously competing for academic recognition and awards.
This collaborative effort marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s financial literacy journey. It not only provides students with valuable knowledge and skills but also contributes to broader socio-economic goals by preparing future participants in the financial ecosystem. The focus on real-world application, professional development, and nationwide inclusivity places this programme among the most comprehensive educational interventions in recent years.
For more information, interested parties may visit the official website or contact the organisers at nigerian.quiz@financialmarkets101.com.
