VZCZCXRO0297
PP RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHUJA #1147/01 1681241
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 161241Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3142
INFO RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS PRIORITY 9453
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 001147 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR EB/IFD/OIA 
DEPARTMENT PASS TO USTR (AGAMA) 
TREASURY FOR RHALL AND DPETERS 
 
E.O. 12958 
TAGS: EFIN ECON ETRD PGOV KCRIM EAID NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH SECURITY AND EXCHANGE 
CHAIRMAN ADVANCES TRANSPARENCY EFFORTS 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED -- HANDLE ACCORDINGLY. 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary: The Ambassador met with the Nigerian Security and 
Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Mallam Musa Al-Faki on June 4 to 
discuss efforts the SEC is doing on transparency in capital markets 
with stock brokerage houses, banks, and in the area of money 
laundering.  Chairman Al-Faki stated that his most critical 
challenges are the need to put in place the necessary regulatory 
framework to deepen transparency in the Nigeria market place, the 
legislative changes on the Land Use Act, to ensure a better mortgage 
environment and improve the capacity of his staff.  The Chairman 
expressed a desire to work closer with the United States SEC on a 
range of issues, as well as other elements of the U.S. Mission, 
particularly the FBI.  The Ambassador underscored USG focus on 
transparency in all sectors and our efforts to fight corruption. 
She highlighted the presence of the FBI and LegAtt in Lagos and 
noted that there were synergies where his office and LegAtt could 
work together.  End Summary. 
 
¶2. (U) The Ambassador met with SEC Chairman Mallam Musa Al-Faki on 
June 4 to discuss a range of issues on transparency in Nigerian 
capital markets.  Chairman Al-Faki has been the SEC chairman since 
¶2004.  He is also the Chairman of the Africa, Middle East Regional 
Committee (AMERC) of the International Organization of Security 
Commissions (IOSCO) and has been re-elected recently to that 
position.  Chairman Al-Faki described the four main SEC activities: 
 
-- The supervision and oversight of the Nigerian Stock Exchange 
(NSE); 
-- Promoting awareness and effective regulation of NSE activities; 
-- Building a strong, transparent structure in which the NSE 
activities can flourish; and, 
-- Ensuring transparency in Nigerian markets 
 
¶3. (SBU) The Ambassador noted the USG focus on the importance on 
increased transparency in all areas of business, particularly the 
market sector, and noted the importance of the right regulatory and 
legislative frameworks in order for Nigeria to truly move forward. 
The SEC and his director echoed the same request we have heard from 
many that Nigerian policy and businesses seek more U.S. trade and 
investment.  The Ambassador said she was aware of these sentiments 
and highlighted key things, such as a bilateral investment treaty 
and trade and investment framework needed to be in place to really 
encourage U.S. investment and growth in Nigeria. 
 
Improving Regulations, Laws and Cooperation 
------------------------------------------- 
 
¶4. (SBU) Chairman Al-Faki said that effective regulations are needed 
to enhance confidence in the Nigerian market and financial sectors, 
and that international exposure, particularly Nigerian membership in 
IOSCO, has improved regulatory practices in Nigeria, leading to 
higher standards and more accountability and transparency.  To 
deepen this momentum, he continued, the Land-Use Act and tax laws 
must be updated and corporate reporting standards should be raised 
to international levels.  The Ambassador replied that the USG 
through USAID and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) 
have been working closely with the GON on reforming the Land Use 
Act. 
 
¶5. (SBU) Regarding law enforcement cooperation, SEC Director of 
Enforcement and Investigation Udora said that his office recently 
contacted FBI headquarters in Washington and reported a possible 
case of money laundering and abuse of the GON financial system, 
providing both the name and location of the suspect.  He lamented 
that the FBI had not responded to the Nigerian SEC overture.  The 
Ambassador was surprised by this and said she would have Mission's 
LegAtt office contact him soonest (since the meeting, LegAtt has 
followed up on this and other partnership opportunities seem to be 
on track). 
 
Capacity Building Assistance 
---------------------------- 
 
¶6. (SBU) Chairman Al-Faki contended that cooperation with the U.S. 
SEC is critical for his agency to build capacity.   He characterized 
the Nigerian SEC structure as largely based on the U.S. model and 
said that there were several key areas of interest for cooperation 
based on SEC future planning.  The SEC plans to work with the NSE to 
make all of its transactions electronic by 2009, and further develop 
the corporate bond market.  The Chairman remarked that investors in 
Nigeria prefer to invest in equities but a balanced capital 
structure is needed, and development of the corporate bond market is 
one of the SEC's biggest challenges. 
 
ABUJA 00001147  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
¶7. (SBU) Comment: The SEC plays an important regulatory role in 
improving and maintaining the transparent financial sector in 
Nigeria's market.  The Ambassador invited the SEC to participate in 
the upcoming export credit USTDA workshops and send representatives 
under the U.S.-Nigeria framework for partnership to working groups 
on investigation and fraud prevention.  Following the meeting 
EconOff and Acting USAID Mission Director met with a representative 
from the U.S. based firm, Financial Markets International, Inc., to 
discuss capacity building programs.   The FMI rep noted that the 
company has worked with USAID in other countries on their SEC 
capacity building programs and was interested in Nigeria.  Econoff 
passed FMI contact information to the Managing Director of the 
Nigerian Capital Market Institute, an affiliate of the SEC in charge 
of training programs.  End Comment. 
 
SANDERS