To buy shares in a bank in Nigeria, you need three things:
A CSCS account (for electronic share ownership).
A CHN (Clearing House Number).
Access to a stockbroker or an investment platform connected to the stock market.
How do banks pay dividends on shares?
There is no fixed rule that all banks follow.
Most Nigerian banks pay dividends:
Once a year (final dividend) after their annual results.
Some banks also pay an interim dividend during the year, making it effectively twice a year.
For example, banks such as GTCO, Zenith Bank, and UBA often pay an interim dividend and a final dividend, but the amount and timing depend on profits and board approval.
Can I buy shares without a stockbroker?
Traditionally, no. All share purchases on the Nigerian Exchange pass through licensed stockbrokers.
However, today you can buy shares yourself through digital investment platforms that are connected to stockbrokers. Examples include:
investbamboo.com
investnaija.com
troveapp.co
You place the order yourself on the app, but the transaction is still executed through a licensed broker behind the scenes.
Example
If you want to buy ₦50,000 worth of Access Holdings shares:
Fund your investment account.
Search for Access Holdings.
Enter the amount or number of shares.
Submit your buy order.
Once executed, the shares are credited to your CSCS account.