{
  "id": 15708212,
  "title": "Senator Izunaso challenges SEC over delays in tokenisation regulations",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/senator-izunaso-challenges-sec-over-delays-in-tokenisation-regulations",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-20T06:00:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Nairametrics",
    "slug": "nairametrics",
    "url": "https://nairametrics.com/2026/10/20/senator-izunaso-challenges-sec-over-delays-in-tokenisation-regulations/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Senator Osita Izunaso, leader of the Senate Committee on Capital Market and Institutions, has criticized the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for dragging its feet on regulations for digital assets and tokenisation. He warned that delays could prevent Nigeria from seizing emerging investment opportunities. Izunaso delivered this warning at the National Capital Market Conference 2026 in Abuja, just days after the SEC unveiled its new National Capital Market Master Plan 2.0. This 10-year roadmap aims to expand the capital market and increase long-term financing. Despite the new Act of 2025 recognizing digital assets and the SEC's proposals for tokenisation, Izunaso questioned Nigeria's preparedness for the international tokenisation market. He argued that clearer regulations were needed to support investment opportunities. He noted that while Nigeria boasts over five million registered companies, only about 151 are listed firms, revealing a significant gap between registered businesses and those publicly traded. Izunaso believes more listings would allow Nigerians to own stakes in major businesses and boost domestic investment possibilities. The senator also pointed out that Nigeria has already taken legislative steps to regulate digital assets under the Investments and Securities Act 2025, which acknowledges virtual assets and strengthens the SEC's oversight of digital asset operators and exchanges. He made his remarks as Nigeria works on implementing the National Capital Market Master Plan 2.0, which aims to expand the capital market from roughly N250 trillion to N750 trillion by 2036. The plan seeks to increase market participation, expand financing opportunities, and strengthen the market's role in supporting economic development. Izunaso's comments come as the SEC continues to develop specific regulations for tokenisation platforms, a key concern for the senator. The immediate challenge for regulators is to provide enough clarity for market participants while maintaining the necessary safeguards to maintain investor confidence and ensure sustainable market growth.",
  "summary": "Senator Osita Izunaso, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Capital Market and Institutions, has challenged the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to accelerate regulations for digital assets and tokenisation, warning that delays could cost Nigeria emerging investment opportunities. The post Senator Izunaso challenges SEC over delays in tokenisation regulations appeared first on Nairametrics…",
  "key_points": [
    "Senator Osita Izunaso criticizes SEC for delays in tokenization regulations.",
    "Nigeria aims to expand capital market to N750 trillion by 2036.",
    "Izunaso calls for clearer regulations to support investment opportunities."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Regulatory hesitation on digital asset frameworks threatens to sideline Nigeria from global investment trends despite the legislative groundwork established by the new Investments and Securities Act.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}