Every Nigerian shareholder has a CSCS account number (CHN). This guide explains what it is, how to find yours, and why it matters for tracing lost shares and claiming dividends.
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The Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) is the central depository and clearing house for all shares listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX). Every share you buy on the Nigerian stock market is held in the CSCS on your behalf. The CSCS is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Nigeria and is the authoritative record of share ownership in the Nigerian capital market.
When you open an account with a licensed Nigerian stockbroker or investment platform, a CSCS account is created for you and you are assigned a Central Holder Number (CHN). The CHN is your unique identifier within the CSCS — it ties together all shares you hold across different Nigerian companies. Think of it as your personal share account number in the national depository.
Your CHN is the most important number for tracking down lost shares, claiming unclaimed dividends, and verifying your shareholdings. Keep a record of it in a safe place.
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There are several ways to find your CHN: (1) Check your broker or platform — your CHN is displayed in your account profile on most licensed Nigerian stockbroker platforms and investment apps. (2) Check your CSCS statement — a CSCS portfolio statement (which your broker can generate) always shows your CHN at the top. (3) Check your dividend warrants or registrar correspondence — your CHN or CSCS account number may appear on dividend warrants, e-dividend confirmation letters, and corporate action notices from registrars. (4) Contact your broker directly — provide your name and ID and your broker can look up your CHN in the CSCS system.
A CHN is created automatically when you open an account with any SEC-licensed Nigerian stockbroker or investment platform. You do not apply for a CSCS account separately — it is created as part of the brokerage account opening process. If you have never invested through a licensed Nigerian broker, you will not have a CSCS account yet. Opening a brokerage account and making your first investment will create one.
When a Find My Shares search is conducted, the CSCS can be queried with your CHN to identify all holdings registered under that account. If your CHN is unknown — which is common for investors who bought shares many years ago through brokers that no longer exist — a structured search using your name, date of birth, and address history can locate the account and any associated holdings.
If you cannot find your CHN or are not sure what shares you hold, a Find My Shares search traces your holdings across all Nigerian registrars and brokers using your personal details.
Start a Find My Shares SearchIn principle, each investor should have one CSCS account. In practice, some investors ended up with multiple CSCS accounts because they used different brokers over the years and a new CHN was created each time rather than using an existing one. If you suspect you have multiple CSCS accounts, a Find My Shares search can identify all accounts and holdings registered across your name and personal details.
Not necessarily. Your CHN is your CSCS-level account number. Each company's registrar may also assign you a separate shareholder reference number specific to that company. The CHN is the overarching number that ties together all your holdings across all companies.
Contact your stockbroker with your full name, ID, and BVN. They can look up your CHN from the CSCS system. If you no longer have a broker, a Find My Shares search conducted by Shares Saver can trace your account using your name, date of birth, and address history.
Every investor who has bought shares through a licensed Nigerian stockbroker has a CSCS account and CHN. Shares bought through informal channels or held only as paper certificates without CSCS registration may not be in the CSCS yet — they would need to be dematerialised first.
Important disclaimer
This article is for general information and educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice or any recommendation. CSCS procedures and policies can change. Always verify current requirements directly with your broker, the CSCS, or a qualified financial professional. Shares Saver does not provide financial advice.
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