Preparing the next generation of market professionals.
The AVA Securities Training Programme and University Trading Competition, a single pathway from classroom learning to Nigeria's capital markets.
A structured curriculum for Nigeria's next generation of market professionals.
The AVA Securities Trading Competition is a multi-week, cohort-based curriculum designed with Nigerian universities in mind. It prepares participants for the operational realities of securities analysis, portfolio management and disciplined execution across the Nigerian capital markets.
Delivered by AVA's investment professionals across our Investment Banking, Asset Management, Securities and Trusteeship businesses, the programme moves participants from foundational theory to live market participation over the course of a single academic cycle.
Completion of the training programme is the gateway to the AVA Securities University Trading Competition, now in its fourth national edition.
The future of Africa's capital markets depends on the quality of the people who participate in them. This programme is our contribution to developing informed investors, ethical professionals and confident decision-makers.
Kayode Fadahunsi
Managing Director/CEO, AVA Capital Plc
What the programme is designed to deliver.
Bridge Theory & Practice
Close the gap between academic finance and the operational realities of Nigeria's capital markets.
Build Market Fluency
Develop practical skills in securities analysis, portfolio construction, and disciplined execution.
Mentorship at Scale
Direct engagement with AVA's investment professionals, analysts and senior leadership.
Career Pathways
Visibility into internship, graduate and full-time opportunities across the AVA Capital Group.
Who can participate
- Full-time undergraduate students at accredited Nigerian universities
- Enrolled in any discipline - finance, economics, engineering, sciences and humanities are all welcome
- Minimum of one full academic year remaining at time of application
- Commitment to attend all training modules and competition rounds
What participants gain
- Live trading exposure on real capital market instruments
- One-to-one mentorship from AVA analysts and portfolio managers
- Certificate of completion recognised across the AVA Capital Group
- Priority consideration for internships and the AVA Graduate Programme
- Cash prizes and scholarship support for top performers
- Alumni network connecting participants across cohorts and universities
From application to live competition.
Expressions of Interest
Universities and individual students register interest via email while applications are closed.
Training Modules
Six-week structured curriculum covering markets, instruments and risk.
Simulation Rounds
Paper-trading rounds test discipline, thesis quality and execution.
Live Competition Finals
Top teams progress to live trading finals with prize giving.
The AVA Securities Trading Competition 4.0
Nigeria's most purposeful capital market engagement initiative for university students, now in its fourth national edition. The competition provides live exposure to securities trading, portfolio management, and investment decision-making, addressing the persistent gap between classroom learning and market demands.
How it works
Register interest
Email your expression of interest while applications are closed. Individual students and university teams of up to five members will be invited when applications reopen.
Complete Training
Participants must complete the AVA Securities Training Programme modules before entering the competition rounds.
Compete
Simulation rounds narrow the field to finalists who progress to the live trading final at AVA's Lagos trading floor.
Winners Announced
Winners are announced at the annual AVA Securities Awards ceremony with prizes, scholarships and career fast-tracks.
Judged on more than just returns.
A panel of AVA's portfolio managers, analysts and independent market professionals score every team across five weighted dimensions. The framework rewards not just performance, but the discipline and process behind it.
- 35%Portfolio ReturnAbsolute and risk-adjusted returns across the competition window.
- 25%Investment ThesisQuality of research, clarity of reasoning and thesis defence.
- 20%Risk ManagementPosition sizing, drawdown control and disciplined exposure.
- 10%Execution DisciplineTrade rationale, timing and adherence to stated strategy.
- 10%Professional ConductEthics, teamwork and market conduct across all rounds.
More than a trophy. A career catalyst.
Moments from past editions.
Applications are closed.
Applications are currently closed for the AVA Securities Trading Competition. For enquiries or to register your interest for the next edition, please contact info@avacapitalplcgroup.com.
Stay informed about the next edition
When applications reopen, we will announce dates, eligibility criteria and university nomination details through our channels. For early notification, email us with your name and university.
Or write directly to info@avacapitalplcgroup.com
Questions? info@avacapitalplcgroup.com
