Yes, it is still possible to recover your shares and claim your unclaimed dividends even after 15 years. Losing contact with your stockbroker does not mean you’ve lost your investments. Your shares are typically held in your name within Nigeria’s securities system, not by the stockbroker personally.

Here’s what you should do.

Step 1: Gather any information you still have
Look for any old documents, such as:

Share certificates (if you have any).
Dividend warrants.
CSCS number.
CHN (Clearing House Number).
Purchase receipts.
The name of the stockbroker.
Your full name used when buying the shares.
Your phone number or address at the time.

Even if you don’t have your CSCS or CHN, don’t worry. Your full name and other personal details can often be used to trace your holdings.

Step 2: If you know your stockbroker

If the brokerage firm still exists, contact them and request a statement of your holdings. Give them:

Your full name.
Date of birth (if requested).
Old address.
Phone number used then.
Means of identification.

They should be able to search their records and help retrieve your CSCS account details.

Step 3: If the stockbroker no longer exists

Don’t panic.

Your shares are not lost just because the broker closed or you lost contact.

Visit another licensed stockbroking firm. Explain your situation and ask them to help trace your CSCS account and holdings. Licensed brokers can assist with recovering your investment records.

Step 4: If you find your CSCS number

Once you have your CSCS number, the process becomes much easier.
Your new broker can:

Retrieve all the shares registered under your CSCS account.
Show you the companies you own.
Help update your records.
Help process outstanding dividends.
Help register you for e-dividend payments so future dividends go directly into your bank account.

Step 5: Recover your unclaimed dividends

Unclaimed dividends are handled by each company’s registrar.

Your broker can tell you who the registrar is for each company.

You will normally complete:

An e-dividend mandate form.
A signature verification form (if required).
Identity verification.
Bank account verification.

Once approved, any dividends that are still payable can be credited to your bank account, subject to the applicable rules for those dividends.

My advice

Recover your CSCS account first.
Get a complete list of all your shareholdings.
Update your personal information (phone number, address, email, bank account, and next of kin if necessary).
Process all outstanding e-dividend registrations.
Review your portfolio before selling anything. Some shares bought 15 years ago may have appreciated significantly, while others may have paid bonus shares or undergone corporate actions.

Recovering the account first gives you a clear picture of what you own before making any investment decisions.