I can’t find the cscs number and the exact share my dad bought when he was alive. What are the measures to take to recover the account and claim the unclaimed dividends
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I can’t find the cscs number and the exact share my dad bought when he was alive. What are the measures to take to recover the account and claim the unclaimed dividends
Not having the CSCS account number or the exact shares does not necessarily mean the investment cannot be traced. Since the shares belonged to your late father, the process may involve both tracing the investment and proving your legal entitlement to the estate. A practical starting point is: 1. GatRead more
Not having the CSCS account number or the exact shares does not necessarily mean the investment cannot be traced.
Since the shares belonged to your late father, the process may involve both tracing the investment and proving your legal entitlement to the estate.
A practical starting point is:
1. Gather whatever records you can find — your father’s full name, previous addresses, old share certificates, dividend warrants, bank statements, emails, letters from registrars, or any company/share documents.
2. Contact the relevant share registrars and explain that you are trying to trace shares and unclaimed dividends belonging to a deceased shareholder. They can advise what information they need to search their records.
3. You can also use the SEC’s e-Dividend/Unclaimed Dividend resources and the relevant investor-verification channels to help trace investments.
4. Because the shareholder is deceased, you will normally need documents establishing who is legally entitled to administer or inherit the estate, such as probate or letters of administration, depending on the circumstances.
5. Once the investment is traced and your entitlement is established, the registrar can guide you through the process for updating the records and claiming the dividends.
Don’t pay an unknown person who promises to “recover” the shares for you simply because they claim to have access to CSCS records. Start with the authorised registrar/SEC channels and keep copies of every document submitted.
The key point is: the missing CSCS number is a problem to solve, not necessarily the end of the investment.
See lessYou can still claim your unclaimed dividends even if you don't remember your CSCS number/CHN. The CSCS number is helpful, but it is not necessarily the first thing you need. The Nigerian SEC specifically provides a process for investors to search for unclaimed dividends using their name. � SEC NigerRead more
You can still claim your unclaimed dividends even if you don’t remember your CSCS number/CHN. The CSCS number is helpful, but it is not necessarily the first thing you need.
See lessThe Nigerian SEC specifically provides a process for investors to search for unclaimed dividends using their name. �
SEC Nigeria +1
What I recommend you do
Step 1 — Search your name for unclaimed dividends
Use the SEC’s official Non-Mandated Dividends Search and enter your name:
SEC Non-Mandated Dividends Search�
The SEC says investors can search by name to identify unmandated shareholdings/dividends. �
ePortal
Step 2 — Record what you find
The search may show information such as:
Your name
Company whose shares you own
Registrar
Account/identification information
If you find the shares, note the name of the registrar.
Step 3 — Contact the registrar
Tell the registrar:
“I am a shareholder and I have unclaimed dividends, but I don’t know or remember my CSCS number/CHN. I want to recover my shares and claim my dividends.”
The registrar can help identify your shareholder account using your personal details and supporting documents. SEC guidance also says that where investors don’t remember the names under which shares were purchased, they can provide likely names and identification/proof of ownership so the registrar, broker or bank can help identify the shares. �
SEC Nigeria
Documents you should prepare
Take as many of these as you have:
NIN or national ID
BVN
Bank account details
Phone number
Email address
Old share certificates
Old dividend warrants
Allotment letters
Statements from your former stockbroker
Receipts showing purchase of the shares
Your previous address/name used when buying the shares
Don’t worry if you don’t have the CSCS number. The objective is first to establish that the shares belong to you; the registrar/broker can then help trace the relevant account.
Very important if your shares were bought around 2008
Since you previously mentioned shares bought around 2008, don’t assume that the dividends are automatically lost because they are old. The SEC clarified in 2025 that qualifying unclaimed dividends are transferred to the Unclaimed Funds Trust Fund framework and remain claimable when the shareholder presents a valid claim; the SEC also directed registrars to continue honouring qualifying claims pending operationalisation of the fund. �
SEC Nigeria
If you don’t even remember which companies you bought
That’s still workable.
Start with the SEC name search above. If that doesn’t reveal everything, we can trace it through your old broker, registrar, bank records and CSCS.
Sorry for your loss. You can still claim your dad’s unclaimed dividends even if you don’t have his CSCS number or know the exact shares. In Nigeria, unclaimed dividends are kept by the *registrars + SEC* and you can trace them with his name and documents. Here’s the step-by-step: ### *Step 1: GatherRead more
Sorry for your loss. You can still claim your dad’s unclaimed dividends even if you don’t have his CSCS number or know the exact shares.
In Nigeria, unclaimed dividends are kept by the *registrars + SEC* and you can trace them with his name and documents.
Here’s the step-by-step:
### *Step 1: Gather the documents you WILL need*
Since you don’t have the CSCS details, you’ll prove ownership through your dad. Registrars need this:
1. *Death Certificate* of your dad – original + photocopy
2. *Letter of Administration / Probate* from court – this names you/the family as the legal administrator of his estate. This is the most important one
3. *Your ID* – National ID, Driver’s license, or International Passport + BVN
4. *Passport photos* of the administrator
5. *Affidavit of Next of Kin* from High Court – states you are the rightful heir
6. *Newspaper publication* – 2 national newspapers announcing the death + intent to claim
Note: If the shares were joint or small value, some registrars accept just Death Cert + Will + ID. But for full transfer, court papers are required.
### *Step 2: Find out which companies/registrars to contact*
Without CSCS, do this:
1. *SEC e-Dividend Mandate Management System*: Go to `www.sec.gov.ng` → e-Dividend portal. Search with your dad’s full name + BVN. It will show all companies paying dividends to that name/BVN
2. *Registrar search*: The 3 big registrars hold most shares:
– *Africa Prudential Registrars*
– *First Registrars & Investor Services*
– *GTL Registrars / Meristem Registrars*
Email them with your dad’s full name and date of birth. Ask for “shareholding search”
3. *Check old documents*: Bank statements, dividend warrants, share certificates, or even emails. The registrar name is usually at the bottom
### *Step 3: File for “Transmission of Shares”*
This is the legal process to move shares from a deceased person to heirs.
1. Go to the registrar(s) you found in Step 2
2. Submit all documents from Step 1
3. Fill *Transmission Form* + *e-Dividend Mandate Form* with your own bank account
4. They will verify with SEC and the company
5. Once approved: All past unclaimed dividends + future dividends will be paid into your account. Shares will be transferred to a new CSCS in your name
Processing time: 4-12 weeks depending on registrar.
### *Step 4: Claim from SEC if you can’t trace the registrar*
SEC Nigeria has an *Unclaimed Dividend Trust Fund*.
1. Go to SEC office or `www.sec.gov.ng` → Unclaimed Dividend section
2. Download “Claim Form for Unclaimed Dividend”
3. Submit with the same documents above
4. SEC will trace and direct the registrar to pay you
### *Important Tips*
– *No CSCS needed to start*: Name + Death Cert + Letter of Admin is enough to begin the search
– *Beware of scammers*: Registrars and SEC don’t ask for money upfront to “release” dividends. Only pay normal admin/legal fees
– *Multiple heirs*: If there are other children/spouse, the Letter of Administration should list all, or you’ll need their consent
– *BVN is powerful*: If your dad’s BVN was linked to his bank, the e-dividend portal will find most of his holdings
### *Quick Checklist*
1. Get Death Certificate + Letter of Administration
2. Search SEC e-Dividend portal with Dad’s Name + BVN
3. Contact the registrar(s) found + submit transmission documents
4. Open a CSCS account in your name to receive the shares
5. Mandate your bank account for future dividends
This process works for any Nigerian quoted company.
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