How Can I Dematerialize Old Share Certificates in Nigeria Without the Original Documents?

You’re not stuck—even without the physical certificates, you can still recover and dematerialize those shares. It just takes the right process, because in Nigeria the registrar’s records matter more than the paper certificate.
Let’s go straight to what works.
🧾 First: What you’re trying to do
You want to move old paper-based shares (FBN, UACN) into your CSCS account at
Central Securities Clearing System Plc
That process is called: 👉 Dematerialization (Demat)
⚠️ Key reality (important)
Even if certificates are missing:
Your shares are still recorded with the registrar
The certificate is just evidence, not the ownership itself
👉 So recovery is possible.
🏢 Step 1: Identify the registrars
You need to contact the registrars of:
FBN Holdings Plc
UAC of Nigeria Plc
Each company has a registrar managing shareholder records.
🔍 Step 2: Request a “Statement of Holdings”
Tell the registrar:
“I have lost my share certificates and want to confirm my holdings and dematerialize into CSCS.”
They will:
Search using:
Your name
Old address
Parents’ details (since it was bought when you were young)
👉 This step confirms:
Whether shares still exist
Exact quantity
📄 Step 3: Apply for “Loss of Certificate” (CRITICAL STEP)
Since certificates are missing, you must:
Provide:
Affidavit of loss (from court)
Police report
Indemnity form (from registrar)
Valid ID
Passport photograph
👉 This legally replaces the missing certificate.
🔄 Step 4: Dematerialize into your CSCS account
After verification:
Fill Dematerialization Request Form (DRF)
Provide your CHN (CSCS number)
👉 Shares will be:
Moved from paper form
Into your CSCS account
🔗 Step 5: Consolidate everything
Once completed:
All shares reflect under your broker (e.g. Meritrade / InvestNaija)
You can now:
Sell
Track
Receive dividends properly
⚠️ Special situation (VERY IMPORTANT)
Since your parents bought the shares:
If shares are in YOUR NAME:
Process is straightforward
If shares are in YOUR MOM’S NAME:
Then you need:
Share transfer process
Or legal transmission (if applicable)
👉 This complicates things slightly—confirm the exact name used.
💡 Common mistakes to avoid
❌ Waiting to find certificates before acting
❌ Assuming shares are lost permanently
❌ Not using the registrar (broker cannot fix this alone)
🔥 Best practical approach (do this)
Ask your broker: 👉 “Who are the registrars for FBN and UACN?”
Contact them directly
Request:
Statement of holdings
Loss of certificate process
Start affidavit + indemnity
⏳ Timeline expectation
Registrar confirmation: few days
Loss processing: 2–4 weeks
Dematerialization: 1–2 weeks
👉 Total: about 3–6 weeks
🧠 Bottom line (no confusion)
✔️ You can recover shares without certificates
✔️ Registrar is the key—not your app
✔️ You’ll need affidavit + indemnity
✔️ Then dematerialize into your CSCS account