By Peace Udugba -The Daily Torch Media
FMDQ Group Plc, through its flagship corporate social responsibility initiative, the FMDQ Next Generation Financial Markets Empowerment Programme (FMDQ-Next), has concluded the seventh edition of its Summer Camp Programme, with 130 primary and secondary school students gaining practical knowledge of financial markets.
The fully funded programme, held in August 2026 at FMDQ Group’s business complex, Exchange Place, Lagos, was designed to equip young Nigerians with financial knowledge, skills and exposure needed to make informed financial decisions.
The students participated in interactive lessons, practical activities and collaborative exercises covering key financial concepts, including savings, investments, financial instruments and the roles of various participants in the financial market.
The programme also provided participants with an opportunity to tour Exchange Place, including the FMDQ Archives, while interacting with members of FMDQ Group’s executive team.
The students gained insights into career opportunities in the financial markets and developed a better understanding of how the financial system operates.
A major highlight of the programme was the participation of secondary school students in trading exercises using FMDQ-Next’s trading simulation platform.
Through the platform, the students navigated simulated market conditions, executed trades and evaluated different strategies, giving them practical exposure to the dynamics of financial markets.
At the end of the programme, the top three finalists in each stream were recognised for their outstanding performances and received prizes, including opportunities for internships at FMDQ Group.
Primary school participants were also rewarded, with the three best-performing students in each stream receiving prizes based on their performances in quizzes conducted during the programme.
Participants and their parents expressed positive views about the initiative, particularly its curriculum, practical learning opportunities and engaging activities.
One of the parents, Mrs Tosin Oyekan, said she registered her son to give him an early opportunity to learn about financial markets and finance.
“I wanted to give my son the opportunity to learn about the markets and finance at an early age. It is something that we did not have the opportunity to experience when we were younger,” she said.
A primary school participant from Corona School, Victoria Island, Abdul-Rahman Adebanjo, also praised the programme, saying it helped him learn about savings, investments and how financial markets operate.
Commenting on the initiative, Tumi Sekoni, Group Chief Operating Officer, FMDQ Group, said the organisation was pleased to provide young people with an opportunity to develop practical financial knowledge.
“We are pleased to have once again provided young minds with an engaging platform to learn about financial markets and develop practical knowledge that will support their financial journeys,” Sekoni said.
She commended the students for their enthusiasm and curiosity throughout the programme and thanked parents and other stakeholders who contributed to its success.
Since the launch of FMDQ-Next in July 2018, the initiative has reached more than 1,670 participants, including primary and secondary school students, university students and fresh graduates.
According to FMDQ Group, the initiative has provided learning opportunities through summer camps, excursions, virtual financial literacy sessions, trading challenges and internships.
The Group said it would continue to use FMDQ-Next to promote financial literacy among young Nigerians and encourage them to become informed participants in the country’s financial ecosystem.
