How two fresh graduates are revolutionising access to the stock market

Two freshly minted Computer Science graduates from the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, are on course to redefine how everyday Nigerians interact with the stock market.

In their early 20s, Elijah Asaolu and Joel Olawanle are building a bridge between technology and finance. Their innovation promises to simplify the often-complex world of investing on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX).

Their interest was sparked earlier this year after a sudden surge of buzz around the stock market on social media. In July alone, the NGX All-Share Index jumped by an impressive 16.6 percent, while retail participation soared to N516.5 billion, a record high for a single month.

“There’s been a lot of buzz this year, especially on Twitter, with people sharing stories of massive returns,” Joel recalled. “Since we’ve always followed the U.S. stock market, it naturally piqued our interest.”

The turning point, however, came when Kolawole Asaolu, Elijah’s older brother, shared an idea that would eventually shape their project. He suggested building a platform that would make Nigerian stock and forex data more accessible to the public.

As software engineers, they swung into action. They decided to apply their coding skills to a problem many Nigerians face: accessibility and transparency of market data.

That idea became NGNMarket.com, an online data aggregator designed to make it easier for retail investors, analysts, and curious newcomers to interact with Nigerian stock and forex data in real time.

Breaking down barriers to market access

Elijah explained the inspiration behind the platform, tying it to a recurring issue within the NGX ecosystem: limited access to timely, clear information.

“The main motivation,” he said, “is to make Nigerian forex and stock data easier to process. A lot of Nigerians today would rather invest in U.S. stocks or crypto because they don’t really understand the structure of the Nigerian stock market.”

That sentiment is supported by data. According to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), as of 2024, fewer than five percent of Nigerian adults invest in stocks, a stark contrast to the 62 percent participation rate in the United States and projected 35 percent in South Africa.

While the NGX has recorded impressive growth and visibility in 2025, the gulf between curiosity and actual participation remains wide. The biggest obstacle is information.

A recent Cowrywise report observed that older Nigerians once viewed stocks as “an exclusive club,” but younger people crave immediacy, “real-time information about Nigerian stocks, not yesterday’s news.”

Filling the information gap with technology

NGN Market addresses that gap. The platform refreshes data every 20 minutes, offering users a simplified interface that breaks down market movements in a digestible way. It also includes unique features such as a ranking of all listed companies by market capitalization, alongside a daily summary of trading activity, features rarely available in one place.

“Our main goal,” Joel said, “is to make it easier for people to understand the Nigerian stock and forex markets and, eventually, to make it easier for them to start investing.”

Beyond data aggregation, the platform reflects a broader mission: to demystify the stock market for Nigeria’s digital generation, turning curiosity into confidence and participation.

From pet project to platform with potential

What started as a pet project between two friends has quickly gathered momentum.

“Honestly, when Joel and I decided to build this, we weren’t expecting much, maybe ten people saying, ‘Oh, this is nice,’” Elijah admitted with a laugh.

But what happened next surprised them.

“When we announced the platform, the traction was incredible,” Elijah said. “Hundreds of people commented, saying things like, ‘Wow, this is long overdue.’ Many even shared how difficult it was to get accurate data before, and how our site made things easier.”

In the first week alone, NGN Market recorded over 7,000 page views, with users spending an average of six minutes per visit, a strong signal of deep engagement for a brand-new platform.

Now, the duo is thinking bigger. Plans are already underway to introduce a ‘Smart Tracker’ feature that will allow users to monitor specific stocks and receive alerts on market changes, further enhancing the investing experience.

Redefining the future of retail investing

As Nigeria’s capital market continues its digital transformation, Joel and Elijah’s innovation represents more than just a tech success story. It signals a shift in how a new generation of Nigerians wants to invest, informed, empowered, and in real time.

Their journey, from university hostels in Okitipupa to the fast-moving world of fintech, underscores a growing truth. Seasoned traders or big institutions may not lead the next frontier of Nigeria’s stock market revolution, but it will be driven by the curiosity and creativity of young minds determined to make finance more inclusive.

And with platforms like NGN Market, that future is close.