Adminstration of nigerian capital market and national development, 1980 – 2009.

Thesis Abstract

The ascendancy of the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) as a policy platform made liberalization and privatization dominant themes of development strategies in Nigeria. Thus, the changed attitude towards the role of the private sector in the development of the Nigerian economy facilitated the expansion of the capital market. The market is a common feature of a modern economy and reputedly performs some necessary functions, which promote the growth and development of the nation. Capital markets facilitate the mobilization and allocation of medium and long-term funds for productive investment. Prior to the late 1980s, international donors and governments in developing countries held the notion that entrepreneurial functions could be better served by the state through public ownership of the means of production, taxation, licensing and regulation. However, poor performance of the public sector, misallocation of resources, market distortions and negative economic growth influenced a re-evaluation of the state-led development strategy. The objective of this study was to examine the administration of the Nigerian capital market and its effects on national development in the country from 1980 to 2009. The specific objectives of the study were to (i) examine the administration of the Nigerian capital market and the mobilization of long-term funds for national development in Nigeria, and (ii) appraise the administrative roles of the Nigerian capital market in facilitating wealth creation and provision of long-term funds needed for national development in Nigeria. This study adopted a survey research design. Data collections were done through two main sources, namely primary and secondary sources. The primary sources were through interview. Interviews were conducted with the key stakeholders in the Nigerian capital market, namely the Director-General and five directors of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Stock Exchange and his three executive directors. The secondary data were collected from books, journals, periodicals, magazines, newspapers, government publications, conference papers, published and unpublished works of relevant authorities such as the Nigerian Stock Exchange Annual Report and Accounts, and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Statistical Bulletin. The primary data generated were analyzed using Chi-square. There was a significance association (p < 0.05) between the administration of the Nigerian capital market and mobilization of long-term funds for national development in the country from 1980 to 2009. The Nigerian capital market performed well within the period. The market experienced border listings and transactions, high influx of foreign investments and investors. Statistics showed purchases (inflow) by foreign investors during 2009 to be in excess of N228.986 billion, representing 33.4% of the aggregate turnover – an increase, when compared with the N153.457 billion recorded in 2008. Concurrently, total sales (outflow) during the year were in excess of N195.583 billion, culminating in a net inflow of N33.403 billion, a reversal of the net outflow of N480.5 billion in 2008. The average number of listed companies in the Nigerian stock market for 1980-1999 periods was 129 companies. At the end of 1999, the number of listed securities stood at 269 including 196 companies. The market boasted of over ten million shareholders. The administrative roles of the Nigerian capital market facilitated wealth creation and provision of needed funds for national development in the country during the period. Privatization provided additional listing on the stock market, enlarged equity shares, and injected new life into the market.