How do I know if I have two CSCS number?

First…

Yes — it is possible to have two CSCS numbers.

And it does NOT mean anything is wrong.

It simply means the shares were bought at different times through different channels.

Let Me Explain Using a Simple Story ( Just Like Iking Ferry😌😁)

Imagine you opened a bank account in 2014 at one branch.

Then in 2024 you opened another account using a mobile banking app.

Does that mean the first account disappeared?

No.

You now just have two accounts in the same banking system.

That is exactly what is happening here.

Now Let’s Understand What Really Happened

1. The IPO You Bought 10 Years Ago

When you bought those bank shares through IPO:

• Your name was registered with the company registrar
• A CSCS number was created for you (even if you never saw it)
• Dividends were sent directly to you

So yes… you already had a CSCS account long ago.

2. The New Shares You Bought Through Bamboo

When you used Bamboo:

• The platform created a new trading account for you
• A new CSCS number may have been generated
• You were also given something called an NCH number

Now here is the key thing to understand.

What Is the Difference?

CSCS Number

This is where your Nigerian shares are stored.

Think of it as a vault that keeps your shares safe.

NCH Number

This is simply a trading account number created by the broker/app you are using.

It is not the same as CSCS.

It is just the ID the broker uses to manage your trades.

So How Do You Know If You Truly Have Two CSCS Numbers?

Very simple.

You just need to confirm using one of these methods:

Option 1: Contact a Stockbroker

Give them:

• Your full name
• Phone number
• Bank details used for dividend

They can search the CSCS system and confirm if more than one account exists under your name.

Option 2: Request a CSCS Statement

Ask for:

“Full CSCS account search under my name.”

If there are two accounts, it will show.

Option 3: Check Your Old Dividend Messages

Sometimes the CSCS number is hidden inside:

• old dividend alerts
• registrar messages
• e-dividend registration forms

Important Advice (Don’t Ignore This Part)

If you truly have two CSCS accounts,
you should merge them.

Why?

Because leaving them separate can cause:

• missing dividends
• confusion during share sales
• problems when transferring shares later

Let Me Be Honest With You

This is not a big problem.

Thousands of Nigerians who bought shares during:

• bank recapitalization period
• old IPO era
• public share offers

now have more than one CSCS account.

The good news?

It can be corrected easily once you verify it.

Final Truth

The issue is not that you made a mistake.

The issue is simply that the system has changed over the years — from paper shares to digital trading apps.

So don’t panic.

Just confirm:

• Do I truly have two CSCS numbers?
• Which one is holding my old shares?
• Which one is holding the new shares?

Once you answer those three questions, everything becomes clear.

I am Rose Ejituru

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