ACT Deepens Efforts on Innovative, Digitalised Trusteeship

Kayode Tokede

The Association of Corporate Trustees (ACT) has reaffirmed its deliberate strides to ensure that professional Trustees embrace the adoption of modern technological innovations to uphold market integrity in Nigeria’s financial ecosystem.

This was the crux of the conversation of industry experts at the association’s Annual Business Luncheon (ABL) which was held in Lagos.

This year’s theme: “Innovating Trust: The Role of Corporate Trustees in  a Digital Financial Ecosystem,” aimed at widening the scope of Trusteeship to adopt more innovative digital solutions to challenges in the financial sector.

Speaking at the event, the President of ACT, Mrs. Omolola Iyinolakan noted that the business luncheon was organized for the purpose of exploring technological solutions to tackle key challenges delimiting the growth of Nigeria’s economy and possibly set the right tone for the Nigerian financial sector in the future.

“As Trustees in the Nigerian capital market, we operate with the firm understanding that we are gatekeepers in the capital market, assiduously working with our regulators to continually uphold the integrity of the market and boost the economy at large.”

She noted that the recent digital revolution; presently the emergence of financial technology, has shown that it is no more business as usual for Corporate Trustees and the Nigerian capital market, being a crucial part of the financial services infrastructure.

“The recent amendments to the Investment and Security Act (ISA) 2025 have proven that steps are being taken in the right direction for a digitalized financial ecosystem,” she noted.

During the event, the Director General, Security Exchange Commission(SEC), Dr. Emomotimi Agama  commended the consistent efforts of the association in convening critical dialogues on fiduciary responsibility, market integrity, and financial innovation.

He noted that the focused topic speaks to the shifting paradigm in Nigeria’s financial market, hence, he advised: “We encourage the association to prioritize digitization training, in digital finance, risk management and data governance to ensure its members remain in the forefront of market intelligence”.

In his keynote address, CEO, Zest Payment Limited, Dr. Stanley Jacob noted that the Nigerian digital financial ecosystem has been resilient and stakeholders have demonstrated remarkable resilience resulting in continued expansion, despite the global headwind from investments.

“We have seen over 47per cent of transactions from payment across Africa, here in Nigeria and we have also seen enhanced regulatory frameworks, most recent being the Investment and Security Act of 2025,” he said.