How Do I Link My Offline Share Certificates to a CSCS Account in Nigeria?

You’re trying to do two separate but connected things:
Convert (dematerialize) your paper share certificate into CSCS (electronic form)
Activate e-dividend so dividends come to your bank automatically
I’ll walk you through both clearly—this is exactly how it’s done in Nigeria.
✅ PART 1: Link / Convert Offline Share Certificate to CSCS
This process is called dematerialization.
Step-by-step:
1. Open / Confirm a CSCS account
You cannot do anything without this.
Go through a licensed stockbroker (e.g. your InvestNaija broker under Chapel Hill Denham)
You’ll be given:
CSCS account number
CHN (Clearing House Number)
👉 CSCS confirms you must go through a broker to open/manage accounts
2. Submit your physical share certificate
Take the following to your stockbroker or registrar:
Original share certificate(s)
Valid ID (NIN, passport, etc.)
Passport photo
CSCS account details
3. Broker sends to Registrar → CSCS
Process flow:
Registrar verifies your certificate
Then uploads it into Central Securities Clearing System
Shares become electronic (credited to your CSCS account)
👉 This is the official process: registrars verify and deposit records into CSCS electronically
4. Wait for credit alert
Once completed:
Your shares will appear in your CSCS account
You can now sell or monitor them online
👉 Physical certificates are now obsolete; everything is electronic in CSCS
✅ PART 2: Enroll for E-Dividend (VERY IMPORTANT)
This ensures: 👉 Dividends go straight to your bank
👉 No more unclaimed dividends
Step-by-step:
1. Check for unclaimed dividends
Go to SEC portal and:
Search your name
Identify your registrar
👉 This is the official first step
2. Download e-dividend mandate form
Each registrar has its own form:
Fill details like:
Bank account
BVN
CSCS/CHN
Shareholder info
👉 Forms are provided by SEC and registrars
3. Submit the form
You have 3 options:
Through your bank
Through your stockbroker
Directly to the registrar
👉 After submission, dividends will
4. Alternative (New Online Method)
Nigeria now has a self-service portal:
You can register e-dividend online via NIBSS/SEC portal
No need to visit bank physically
👉 Confirmed by SEC upgrade of e-dividend system
⚠️ Critical Things Most People Miss
You must link ALL your shares to CSCS first before full automation
If you have shares with different registrars, you must fill multiple e-dividend forms
Your name must match exactly across:
Bank account
CSCS
Share certificate
🔍 Simple Summary
Task
Where to do it
Convert paper shares
Stockbroker / Registrar
Get CSCS number
Stockbroker
Link shares to CSCS
Registrar via broker
Activate e-dividend
Bank / Registrar / Online portal
✔️ Straight advice (based on your situation)
Since you already use InvestNaija (Chapel Hill Denham):
👉 Go to them directly and say:
“I want to dematerialize my physical share certificates and link them to my CSCS account, then activate e-dividend.”
They will handle:
CSCS linking
Registrar submission
Dividend setup