Nigeria’s capital market community has expressed strong support as the T+2 settlement timeline officially goes live, marking a major shift toward faster and more efficient trade completion in the country.
The Nigerian Exchange and market operators confirmed that the new system will settle trades within two working days after execution. The previous settlement structure, which took longer, often exposed investors to increased counterparty and liquidity risk. Regulators said the upgrade aligns the Nigerian market with global standards and strengthens its competitiveness.
Analysts believe the T+2 model will improve market liquidity by shortening the time investors wait to access their funds. They also note that the new timeline enhances investor protection, reduces systemic risk, and attracts more foreign participation by bringing Nigeria in line with practices used in advanced markets.
Brokerage firms and custodians have started adjusting their systems to ensure seamless implementation. The transition has been supported by technology upgrades across the market, including improved clearing infrastructure and strengthened post-trade risk controls.
Market operators say the shift is a critical step in modernizing the capital market and deepening financial inclusion. With settlement delays historically cited as a barrier for some investors, the faster cycle is expected to improve confidence and encourage higher levels of activity.
However, experts caution that the full benefits will depend on continued coordination among brokers, clearing members, custodians, and regulators. They emphasize the need for strict compliance with trading procedures and timely submission of settlement documentation.
Despite these challenges, stakeholders remain overwhelmingly optimistic. They see the transition to T+2 as a long-awaited reform that will make the Nigerian capital market more efficient, transparent, and attractive to global investors.