Before depositing any money with an investment platform, verify its registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission Nigeria. This step-by-step guide explains how to use the SEC public register.
The Securities and Exchange Commission Nigeria (SEC Nigeria) is the primary regulator of Nigeria's capital market. Investment platforms, stockbrokers, fund managers, and other capital market operators must be registered with SEC before they can legally offer investment services to Nigerian investors. Checking registration takes a few minutes and is one of the most important steps you can take before investing.
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Visit sec.gov.ng directly by typing the URL into your browser. Do not click links in emails, SMS messages, or social media posts that claim to lead to SEC Nigeria — phishing sites that mimic official-looking pages are used by fraudsters. Verify the URL carefully: the official site uses the .gov.ng domain.
The SEC Nigeria website maintains a public register of all licensed capital market operators. Look for a section titled "Regulated Entities", "Capital Market Operators", or similar — the exact navigation may change as SEC updates its website. The register lists stockbrokers, investment advisers, fund managers, and other regulated entities by name and registration number.
Ready to start investing in Nigerian stocks? Shares Saver registers your shares directly in your own name through SEC-regulated brokers.
Enter the exact legal name of the investment company — not a trading name, app name, or brand name. Many platforms operate under a trading name that differs from their registered company name. If you are unsure of the legal name, check the platform's terms and conditions or "About" page for its company name and CAC registration number.
Confirm that: (a) the entity appears in the register; (b) its registration is current and not suspended or revoked; and (c) the registration category matches the service being offered — a stockbroker registration covers share trading, but not all capital market registrations authorise every type of service. If the entity does not appear in the register, or its registration is expired or suspended, do not proceed.
SEC registration means the entity met the regulatory requirements at the time of registration and is subject to ongoing SEC supervision and compliance requirements. It does not guarantee the platform will never fail, nor does it guarantee investment returns. Registration is a necessary condition for legitimacy — not a sufficient guarantee of safety. For additional protection, also verify that shares you buy are held in your own name at CSCS, not in a pooled or nominee fund.
The Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) is the Nigerian central securities depository. When shares are held in your direct CSCS account in your name, they remain legally yours — even if your stockbroker or investment platform ceases trading. Confirm with your platform whether your shares are held directly in your name at CSCS or in a pooled/nominee arrangement. Direct CSCS ownership provides the strongest protection.
Shares Saver is SEC-registered and holds all customer shares directly in each investor's own CSCS account. Verify our registration at sec.gov.ng.
Important disclaimer
This article is for general information and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. SEC registration requirements, the public register interface, and regulatory frameworks may change. Always verify current registration status directly via the official SEC Nigeria website at sec.gov.ng. Shares Saver does not provide legal or financial advice.
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