Michael AndeyinNigerians have criticised Doris Uzoka-Anite, the Minister of State for Finance, and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for holding a full ribbon cutting ceremony to launch a new podcast.
Comments on social media have been questioning the fanfare attached to what should have been a basic digital initiative.
The podcast was launched in Abuja on Tuesday to commemorate International Women’s Day. According to the SEC, the podcast is aimed at increasing public awareness about the capital market and encouraging more women to invest.
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The Commission is proud to announce the official launch of The SEC Nigeria Podcast by the Honourable Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Unoka-Anite.It is a groundbreaking initiative aimed to enhance public understanding of Nigeria’s capital. Stay with us! pic.twitter.com/YtHmCItW4f— SEC Nigeria (@SECNigeria) March 4, 2025
However, it wasn’t the podcast itself that got Nigerians talking, it was the elaborate ceremonial launch complete with a ribbon cutting, speeches and official declarations.
Many of the reactions to the SEC’s post mirrored disbelief for the grand display over the launch of an audio series.
“Cutting ribbon because of a podcast launch. You guys are unserious,” wrote Alabi Tosin on his X page.
“For a podcast. Well done, how much was allocated for this? We know the drill, cut your ribbon,” added Akinosho Abdulhakeem, referencing the skepticism around government spending on public events.
Another user, Caroline, summed up the mood: “Cutting ribbon and using words like ‘groundbreaking’ because of a podcast… It is well. The things we exalt over here.”
Adetola Adedeji summed up the general sentiment in his own post querying the agency for describing the launch of the podcast as groundbreaking.
“Kini groundbreaking? Why even cut the ribbon for a podcast?” he posted.
Abdulmoshod Balogun, another Nigerian commenter, shared Adedeji’s sentiments about the novelty of the idea and the fanfare that surrounded it.
“Don’t tell me that the ribbon-cutting was for a podcast? LOL I’m not surprised a single bit by the use of the word ‘groundbreaking’. Every single initiative in Nigeria is groundbreaking at this rate,” Balogun wrote.
During the launch of the podcast, Uzoka-Anite called on women to explore investment opportunities in the capital market as a path to financial empowerment.
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“Women are actually very good with investing; we know how to manage money effectively. If a woman learns how to make her money and save it in a way that continues to add value, she will be better positioned to meet her needs and those of her family,” the minister said.
Uzoka-Anite added that the capital market is central to achieving Nigeria’s economic growth targets, including the ambition of becoming a $1 trillion economy.
The podcast, however, will only communicate information about the capital market.
The post Nigerians Slam Finance Minister, SEC for Holding Ribbon Cutting to Launch Podcast appeared first on Foundation For Investigative Journalism.
