Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has partnered with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to integrate anti-Ponzi scheme education into the NYSC programme, in a move aimed at strengthening financial literacy among young Nigerians.
The collaboration was announced in a joint statement issued on Sunday, March 22, 2026. It will see structured financial education embedded into the NYSC’s Education and Enlightenment Community Development Service (CDS), equipping corps members with the knowledge to identify fraudulent investment schemes and encouraging participation in legitimate financial markets.
The partnership, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), positions corps members as key drivers of grassroots financial awareness nationwide.
Emomotimi Agama, Director-General of the SEC, said the initiative reflects the Commission’s commitment to building a financially informed youth population. He noted that NYSC members already play a significant role within the SEC and can serve as effective ambassadors for investor education across the country.
According to him, corps members trained under the scheme will be better equipped not only for the capital market but also for personal financial decision-making, ultimately contributing to national economic development.
Under the agreement, the SEC will develop training materials and modules covering capital market operations and safe investment practices, while also funding the training of selected corps members and NYSC officials who will serve as facilitators.
On its part, the NYSC will integrate the curriculum into its CDS activities through workshops, orientation programmes, and community outreach campaigns. Corps members will also act as peer educators, extending financial literacy to communities across Nigeria.
Director-General of the NYSC, Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, described the initiative as a strategic milestone aligned with the scheme’s youth development mandate.
The programme specifically targets young and inexperienced investors, a group often vulnerable to Ponzi schemes. By leveraging the NYSC’s nationwide structure, the initiative aims to scale awareness rapidly and restore confidence in regulated investment channels.
The partnership also includes provisions for tracking progress, sharing data, and evaluating impact across all local government areas, with both organisations set to deploy digital, traditional, and grassroots communication strategies.
With Ponzi schemes continuing to pose risks to unsuspecting investors, especially first-time earners, the initiative is expected to play a critical role in promoting informed financial decisions and reducing exposure to investment fraud nationwide.
