SEC NIGERIA
NEW RULES AND SUNDRY AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES AND REGULATIONS
OF THE COMMISSION
Pursuant to Section 313 of the Investments and Securities Act, 2007, the following new
Rules and sundry amendments are added/made to the Commission's Rules and
Regulations.
NEW RULES
- ASSET MANAGER CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
1.1 General Principles of Conduct
Managers have the following responsibilities to their clients.
Managers must:
- Act in a professional and ethical manner at all times.
- Act for the benefit of clients.
- Act with independence and objectivity.
- Act with skill, competence, and diligence.
- Communicate with clients in a timely and accurate manner.
- Uphold the applicable rules governing capital markets.
1.2 CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
1.2.1 Obligation to clients
Managers must:
- Place client interests before their own.
- Preserve the confidentiality of information communicated by clients within the
scope of the Manager-client relationship.
- Refuse to participate in any business relationship or accept any gift that could
reasonably be expected to affect their independence, objectivity, or loyalty to
clients.
1.2.2 Investment Process and Actions
Managers must:
- Use reasonable care and prudent judgment when managing client assets.
- Not engage in practices designed to distort prices or artificially inflate trading
volume with the intent to mislead market participants.
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- Deal fairly and objectively with all clients when providing investment information,
making investment recommendations, or taking investment action.
- Have a reasonable and adequate basis for investment decisions.
- When managing a portfolio or pooled fund according to a specific mandate,
strategy, or style:
a. Take only investment actions that are consistent with the stated objectives
and constraints of that portfolio or fund.
b. Provide adequate disclosures and information so investors can consider
whether any proposed changes in the investment style or strategy meet their
investment needs.
- When managing separate accounts and before providing investment advice or
taking investment action on behalf of the client:
a. Evaluate and understand the client's investment objectives, tolerance for risk,
time horizon, liquidity needs, financial constraints, any unique circumstances
(including tax considerations, legal or regulatory constraints, etc.) and any
other relevant information that would affect investment policy.
b. Determine that an investment is suitable to a client's financial situation.
1.2.3 Trading
Managers must:
- Not act or cause others to act on material non-public information that could
affect the value of a publicly traded investment.
- Give priority to investments made on behalf of the client over those that benefit
the Managers' own interests.
- Use commissions generated from client trades to pay for only investment-related
products or services that directly assist the Manager in its investment decision
making process, and not in the management of the firm.
- Maximize client portfolio value by seeking best execution for all client
transactions.
- Establish policies to ensure fair and equitable trade allocation among client
accounts.
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1.2.4 Risk Management, Compliance and Support
Managers must:
- Develop and maintain policies and procedures to ensure that their activities
comply with the provisions of this Code and all applicable legal and regulatory
requirements.
- Appoint a compliance officer responsible for administering the policies and
procedures and for investigating complaints regarding the conduct of the
Manager or its personnel.
- Ensure that portfolio information provided to clients by the Manager is accurate
and complete and arrange for independent third-party confirmation or review of
such information.
- sMaintain records for an appropriate period of time in an easily accessible
format.
- Employ qualified staff and sufficient human and technological resources to
thoroughly investigate, analyze, implement, and monitor investment decisions
and actions.
- Establish a business-continuity plan to address disaster recovery or periodic
disruptions of the financial markets.
- Establish a firm-wide risk management process that identifies, measures, and
manages the risk position of the Manager and its investments, including the
sources, nature, and degree of risk exposure.
1.2.5 Performance and Valuation
Managers must:
- Present performance information that is fair, accurate, relevant, timely, and
complete. Managers must not misrepresent the performance of individual
portfolios or of their firm.
- Use fair-market prices to value client holdings and apply, in good faith, methods
to determine the fair value of any securities for which no independent, third-
party market quotation is readily available.
1.2.6 Disclosures
Managers must:
- Communicate with clients on an ongoing and timely basis.
- Ensure that disclosures are truthful, accurate, complete, and understandable and
are presented in a format that communicates the information effectively.
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- Include any material facts when making disclosures or providing information to
clients regarding themselves, their personnel, investments, or the investment
process.
- Disclose the following:
a. Conflicts of interests generated by any relationships with brokers or other
entities, other client accounts, fee structures, or other matters.
b. Regulatory or disciplinary action taken against the Manager or its personnel
related to professional conduct.
c. The investment process, including information regarding lock-up periods,
strategies, risk factors, and use of derivatives and leverage.
d. Management fees and other investment costs charged to investors, including
what costs are included in the fees and the methodologies for determining
fees and costs.
e. The amount of any soft or bundled commissions, the goods and/or services
received in return, and how those goods and/or services benefit the client.
f. The performance of clients' investments on a regular and timely basis.
g. Valuation methods used to make investment decisions and value client
holdings.
h. Shareholder/unit holder voting policies.
i. Trade allocation policies.
j. Results of the review or audit of the fund or account.
k. Significant personnel or organizational changes that have occurred at the
Manager.
l. Risk management processes.
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- FIXED INCOME PRIMARY ISSUANCE FEES
S/N
COST CENTRE
SEC
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
NSE
FMDQ Listing Fees
ISSUING HOUSE
CSCS
RECEIVING AGENT
STOCKBROKER
REGISTRARS
FEE RATES
1st N500 Mn @ 0.15%
Next N500 Mn @ 0.145%
Balance above N1 Bn @ 0.1425%
Companies already having Equity Listing @ 0%
Companies not having Equity Listing @
0.0375%
States and Supra-nationals @ 0.05%
@0.09% of issue size (N1Bn), ranging to @
0.002% of issue size (> N200Bn)
1ST N1 Bn @ Max of 1.35%
Next N1 Bn @ Max of 1.225%
Balance above N2 Bn @Max of 1.15%
@0.0075% of Offer Size
Capped @ N5 Mn
@0.25% of Offer size
@0.13% of Offer size
N30 (Existing Application)
N40 (New Application)
Take on fee of N1 Mn
9.
10.
11.
SOLICITOR TO THE ISSUE
SOLICITOR TO THE COMPANY
REPORTING ACCOUNTANT
12.
AUDITORS
13.
TRUSTEES
@0.05% of Offer size
Subject to a cap of N10 Mn
@0.01% of Offer size
Subject to a cap of N5 Mn
@0.05% of Offer size
Subject to a min of N1 Mn
Subject to a max of N7.5 Mn
@0.01% of Offer size
cap of N4 Mn
Max of 0.035% of Offer size
14.
UNDERWRITING
15.
Cap of N5 Mn
Max of 2.3% of Offer size
PRINTING/ADVERTISEMENT/PUBLICITY/OTHER Max of 0.2% of Offer size
EXPESNSES
TOTAL
5
Max of 2.293% (excluding underwriting
commission and Registrars fee)
SEC NIGERIA
3. EQUITY PRIMARY ISSUANCE FEES
S/NO
1.
COST CENTRE
SEC
2.
NSE
3.
ISSUING HOUSE
RECEIVING AGENT
4.
CSCS
5.
6.
STOCKBROKER
7.
REGISTRARS
FEE RATES
1st N500 Mn @ 0.275%
Next N500 Mn @ 0.225%
Balance above N1Bn @ 0.15%
Main Board - Listing Fees – 0.25% of Offer
size subject to maximum fee of N200m
Premium Board Listing Fees – 0.25% of
Offer size subject to maximum fee of
N400m
ASEM – flat Fee of N100,000.00
1st N1Bn @ 1.35%
Next N1Bn @ 1.225%
Balance over N2Bn @ 1.15%
At 0.0075% of offer size capped @ N5Mn
@0.50% of offer size
0.13% of offer size
N30 (Existing Application)
8.
SOLICITOR TO THE ISSUE
9.
SOLICITOR TO THE COMPANY
10.
11.
12.
13.
REPORTING ACCOUNTANT
AUDITORS
UNDERWRITING
N40 (New Application)
Take on fee @ N1m
0.05% of offer size
Subject to a min of N1Mn
Capped at N10Mn
At 0.01% of offer size
Subject to N500,000
Capped at N5Mn
0.05% of offer size
Subject to a min of N1Mn and a max of
N7.5Mn
At 0.01% of offer size capped @ N4Mn
Max of 2.3% of offer size
PEINTING/ADVERTISEMENT/PUBLICITY/OTHER | Max of 0.2% of offer size
EXPENSES
TOTAL
6
Max of 2.833% (excluding underwriting
commission and Registrars fee)
4.
SEC NIGERIA
SUNDRY AMENDMENTS
LEGEND
•
•
•
Provisions in strikethrough signify deletions
Provisions in Bold letters signify additions
Provision followed by .... signify preceding content
- Rule 56 (1) - Functions of Brokers
Registered brokers shall have the following functions amongst others- .......
(b) other services ancillary to (a) above
(b) providing technology platform for clients to trade under clients
account;
(c) disclose to the Commission any dealings in a security valued at a minimum of
N50 million 500,000 units executed in a single deal or in multiple deals on the
same day on behalf of his clients;
(d) providing investment advice to clients;
(e) publishing investment research;
(f) report any suspected market manipulation or insider dealing to the
Commission within 48 hours.
- Rule 67 - SUB-BROKER; Registration Requirements
An application for registration as sub-broker shall be filed on Form SEC 2C as
contained in schedule III to these rules and regulations and accompanied by
(d) copy of Return on allotment and particulars of Directors (Forms CO2 and
CO7) certified by the Corporate Affairs Commission;
(j) evidence of minimum paid-up capital of N10 million;
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(k) letter of recommendation and undertaking signed by the sponsoring
Broker/Dealer on behalf of the Sub-Broker .
(n) any other information or document that may berequired by the Commission from
time to time
(n) operational manual and organizational chart;
(o) any other information or document that may be required by the Commission
from time to time
Rule 67 (2) Individual Sub-Broker(Deleted)
) An application for registration as an individual sub broker shall be filed on Form
SEC 2 as provided in schedule III of these rules and regulations and shall be
accompanied by the following:
(i) Certified copy of certificate of registration of business name (where applicable);
(ii) Evidence of minimum net worth of N500,000;
(iii) Sworn undertaking to comply with the provisions of the Act and the rules and
regulations as may be required from time to time by the Commission;
(iv) Evidence of compliance with rule 20(4);
(v) Sworn undertaking to keep proper records and render returns.
denial
(b) Rule 83(3) and (4) shall, with all necessary modifications, apply in case of d
or suspension of registration of a sub broker.
- Rule 84 – Functions of Issuing House
Issuing houses shall have the following functions amongst others:-
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(1) providing financial advisory services for schemes and issuance of securities under
the relevant provisions of the Act, CAMA or any other law;
(2) acting as agent of issuer for purposes of issuances of securities and schemes
under the relevant provisions of the Act, CAMA or any other law;
(3) coordinating activities of other professionals and parties to an issue or scheme;
(4) preparing the registration statement, the prospectus, the scheme document or
any and other transaction documents;
(5) Any other roles ancillary to the above
(5) underwriting issuance of securities
(6) sponsoring issuers of publicly offered/privately placed fixed income
securities including bonds (sovereign, agency, sub-national, corporate
and supranational), asset-backed or mortgage-backed securities and
mutual funds for listing on a recognized Exchange.
(7) any other roles ancillary to any of the above
- Rule 88 (1) Registration Requirements
Where a corporate body not registered as an issuing house intends to be registered
as an Underwriter, it shall file FORM S.E.C 3 as contained in schedule III to these
Rules and Regulations and shall be accompanied by
- Rule 89 (1) – UNDERWRITERS; Eligibility
No person, other than an Issuing House, may act as underwriter in any public
issue of securities unless such a person is registered by the Commission to perform
the function.
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- Rule 89 (2)
The following may be registered as underwriters—
(a) banks;
(b) issuing houses
(b) insurance companies;
(c) any other person as may be determined by the Commission from time to
time.
- Rule 92 – Functions of Fund/Portfolio Managers;
Fund/portfolio managers may perform the following functions amongst others- ....
(2) selection of securities for the fund/portfolio in exercise of a discretionary
mandate;
- Rule 178 (1) – Capital Market Experts Or Professionals; Registration
Requirements
(1) The following experts/professionals whose opinion impact directly on capital
market transactions are subject to registration by the Commission:
a) legal practitioners;
b) accountants;
e) auditors;
d) c) engineers;
e) estate valuers;
f) d) property managers
g) e) any other expert/professional that may be determined by the Commission
from time to time.
Rule 179 – REPORTING ACCOUNTANTS
The Reporting Accountant to an entity cannot act as Auditor to that same
entity or affiliated entity.
11.
Rule 181 – ESTATE SURVEYORS
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Estate Surveyors and Valuers
181(4)
The estate valuer to an entity cannot act as property manager to that
same entity or affiliated entity.
12. RULE ON TRADING IN UNLISTED SECURITIES – INCLUSION OF DEBT
SECURITIES
- (a) All securities of public unlisted companies shall be bought, sold or
transferred only by means of a system approved by the Commission and
under such terms as the Commission may prescribe from time to time.
- (b) All debt securities issued in Nigeria, i.e. issued by the Federal
Government of Nigeria (“FGN”), Subnationals (State and Local
Government), Supranational and Public Companies, shall be
bought, sold or transferred in the secondary market only through a
SEC registered trading facility or Securities Exchange.
- (c) All exchange of debt securities traded (including foreign currency
securities of Nigerian entities listed in other jurisdictions e.g.
Eurodollar bonds) in the Nigerian capital market shall be executed
on or reported to a SEC-registered Securities Exchange or trading
facility.
- (b) (d) No person shall buy, sell or otherwise transfer securities of a public
unlisted company or government agency except through the platform
of a SEC-registered securities exchange or trading facility established
for the purpose of facilitating over-the-counter trading of securities.
- (e) (e) Any public unlisted company, director, company secretary, registrar,
broker/dealer or such other persons who facilitate the buying, selling or
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transfer of the securities of a public unlisted company or
government agency otherwise than through the platform of a SEC-
registered securities exchange or trading facility shall be liable to a
penalty of not less than N100,000 in the first instance and not more
than N5,000 for every day of default.
- RULES ON REGISTRATION OF ALL CAPITAL MARKET OPERATORS WITH
RELEVANT TRADE GROUPS/ASSOCIATIONS
Rule 25: Self Regulatory Organizations/Trade Associations
(1) Membership
(1) (a) Every person registered to perform any function in the market shall be
a member of an SRO or a Trade Association relevant to its function
(2) (b) A broker or dealer shall be a member of an association of securities
dealers to effect transactions in an over-the-counter (OTC) market
(3) (c) Where the broker dealer effects transactions on any exchange and over-
the-counter market, the appropriate self-regulatory organization shall be
the exchange(s) and the association of the relevant over-the-counter
(OTC) market
(2) Registration
All Trade Associations whose members have been registered to
perform any capital market function shall be registered with the
Commission.
RULE 35 (7)- CHANGE OF STATUS OF REGISTRANT
Any person who fails to comply with the provisions of this regulation shall be
liable to a late filing fee of N500 for every day that the default subsists and shall
have its registration summarily suspended if the period of default exceeds ninety
(90) days.
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15.
16.
(1)
35(7) (a) Any person who fails to comply with the provisions of this regulation
shall be liable to a minimum penalty of N20, 000.00 and a further sum
of not more than N5, 000.00 for every day that the default subsists.
35(7)(b) Such person shall have their registration suspended if the period of
default exceeds 90 days.
RULE 314- COST OF ISSUE
The total cost of issue shall not exceed 2.833% for equity and 2.293% for
bonds of the total gross proceeds excluding underwriting commission and
registrars' fees from the issue or such percentage of the gross total
proceeds as the Commission may prescribe from time to time
RULE 420- RULE ON GLOBAL DEPOSITORY RECEIPTS
Depository Receipts
This Rule shall apply to sponsored and unsponsored Global Depository
Receipts representing ownership of securities issued by Nigerian
entities and such other Depository Receipts representing ownership of
securities issued by foreign entities which are tradable on the
international capital markets;
(2) Rule 420 (1) – Definitions