Ekiti State University recently hosted a delegation from the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers of Nigeria to discuss potential academic and professional collaboration aimed at increasing youth participation in the capital market.
The delegation, led by the institute’s Chief Executive Officer and Registrar, Mr. Ayorinde Adeonipekun, met with university officials to present training and certification pathways available to undergraduates and young Nigerians interested in stockbroking.
Adeonipekun commended the university’s leadership for its contributions to higher education and noted that the institution is currently ranked as the best state university in Nigeria.
He said the visit was intended to inform the university about programmes designed to introduce students to the stockbroking profession. The institute plans to organize a career talk to educate students on the process of becoming professional stockbrokers.
According to Adeonipekun, the institute offers an online programme for candidates with a minimum of five O’Level credits, including Mathematics and English Language, which qualifies participants for membership. He expressed concern over declining youth involvement in the profession, describing it as a challenge for the industry.
“The youngest stockbroker in Nigeria has lamented the drop in youth engagement. We have put measures in place to attract more young people and other age groups into the profession,” he said.
Adeonipekun also cautioned students against get-rich-quick schemes and Ponzi operations such as CIBEX, which he said had negatively affected many Nigerians.
“Make a deposit of ₦50,000 and it will become ₦100,000 within a week — it doesn’t work that way. There is no such thing as a free lunch,” he said.
Responding on behalf of the university, Vice Chancellor Prof. Joseph Babatola Ayodele thanked the institute for visiting Ekiti State University and expressed readiness to collaborate on training students in stockbroking.
Represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, Prof. Williams Adebayo, the vice chancellor said the institution has an operational trading room established by the university’s Chancellor, Dr. Tunji Olowolafe.
He commended the institute’s initiatives to attract more undergraduates to the profession and assured the delegation of the university’s willingness to partner on training and mentorship programmes.
Both parties expressed optimism that the proposed collaboration would strengthen practical learning in finance and investment and prepare students for careers in the capital market.
