Share registrars maintain the official ownership records for every Nigerian listed company. This guide explains who the main registrars are, what they do, and how to contact the registrar holding your shares.
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A share registrar is a company appointed by a Nigerian listed company to maintain its official register of shareholders. The registrar records who owns shares in the company, in what quantity, and at what address. When a company declares a dividend, the registrar uses this register to determine who gets paid and processes the payments. When a corporate action occurs — such as a rights issue or bonus share — the registrar administers the process for registered shareholders.
Brokers execute buy and sell trades on the Nigerian Exchange on your behalf. The CSCS holds all shares electronically as a central depository. Registrars maintain the ownership register for each individual company. These are three separate entities in the Nigerian capital market infrastructure. For a shareholder tracing lost shares or claiming dividends, all three may be relevant — but registrars are the primary point of contact for dividend claims and ownership record corrections.
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The following are among the principal share registrars operating in Nigeria. Each company chooses its own registrar independently, so your shares in different companies may be held with different registrars:
Each company chooses its own registrar. To find out which registrar holds records for a specific company, check the company's annual report or investor relations page, or contact the company directly.
There are several ways to identify your registrar: (1) Check the company's dividend warrant or e-dividend confirmation — the registrar name and contact details are usually printed on it. (2) Check the company's annual report — the registrar details are disclosed in the corporate information section. (3) Check the company's investor relations website or the NGX disclosure portal — registrar details are usually listed. (4) Run a Find My Shares search — if you are not sure which companies you hold shares in, a structured search can identify holdings and the registrars responsible for each.
When you contact your registrar with proof of identity and shareholding, they can: (1) Confirm your current registered details (name, address, bank mandate). (2) Update your address, name, or bank account details. (3) Process a claim for outstanding dividends. (4) Provide a certified shareholder statement. (5) Process a change of ownership instruction (with the appropriate CSCS documentation). (6) Handle bonus share and rights issue administration.
Registrars require identity verification before making any changes to your account. Typically, you will need: your valid government-issued ID (national identity card, international passport, or driver's licence); your BVN; your shareholder reference number or CSCS account number (CHN) if known; and any correspondence from the company (dividend warrants, allotment letters) that contains your shareholder reference number. If your name has changed, an affidavit or court documentation may be required.
Not sure which companies you hold shares in, or which registrars to contact? A Find My Shares search identifies all holdings and their associated registrars in one structured process.
Start a Find My Shares SearchNo. Shareholders do not choose their registrar. The registrar is appointed by the company whose shares you own. If the company changes its registrar, your records are transferred to the new registrar automatically.
For dematerialised shares (held electronically in the CSCS), there are no physical certificates at the registrar. For older paper-based holdings that have not been dematerialised, the company's records still exist at the registrar level even if the physical certificate is lost.
No. These are completely different roles. A stockbroker executes buy and sell trades for you on the NGX. A registrar maintains the ownership register for a specific company — they do not execute trades.
Important disclaimer
This article is for general information and educational purposes only. Registrar names and company appointments can change. Always verify current registrar details directly with the company whose shares you hold or through the NGX disclosure portal. Shares Saver does not provide financial or legal advice.
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