Trust & Transparency

How your shares are held in your own name

When you buy shares through Shares Saver, they are not held by Shares Saver in a pooled account. They are registered directly in your legal name — at the central depository (CSCS) and with the company's official registrar.

Direct Ownership Explained

Nominee vs direct ownership

Most investment platforms use nominee accounts. Shares Saver uses direct registration.

Nominee / Pooled account

✗Shares held in the platform's name
✗Investors see a balance, not direct registration
✗If the platform closes, you depend on their wind-down process
✗You may not appear on the company's shareholder register
✗Dividend payments routed through the platform

Direct registration (Shares Saver)

✓Shares registered in your legal name
✓Your name on the company's shareholder register
✓Ownership exists independently of Shares Saver
✓CSCS record and registrar record both in your name
✓Dividends entitled directly as a registered shareholder

The two-layer ownership record

Layer 1: CSCS account

The Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) is Nigeria's central depository for all NGX securities. Every share purchase results in your CSCS account being credited with the purchased shares under your CHN (Central Holder Number). This is the definitive electronic record of your shareholding.

Layer 2: Company registrar

Each NGX-listed company appoints a registrar — a regulated firm that maintains the company's official shareholder register. After settlement, the registrar updates the register with your name and shareholding. This entitles you to dividends, AGM notices, rights issues, and all other shareholder communications.

Both records are in your legal name. Neither is held by or dependent on Shares Saver.

Frequently asked questions

Are my shares actually registered in my name?

Yes. When a regulated broker purchases shares on your behalf through Shares Saver, those shares are registered in your legal name in your CSCS account and with the company's official registrar. Your name appears in the company's shareholder register.

What is the difference between direct ownership and a nominee account?

In a nominee account, a platform holds all shares in its own name on behalf of multiple investors — investors only see a balance. With direct ownership (as used by Shares Saver), each investor's shares are registered in their own legal name. Your ownership is independent of the platform.

What happens to my shares if Shares Saver closes?

Because your shares are registered in your own name at CSCS level and with the company registrar, they remain yours regardless of what happens to Shares Saver. You would be able to access your holdings through the broker or CSCS directly.

Where exactly is my share ownership recorded?

Your shareholding is recorded in two places: (1) your CSCS account, which is the central electronic depository for all NGX securities, and (2) the company's shareholder register maintained by its appointed registrar. Both records carry your legal name.

Related trust guides

How settlement worksThe T+2 process from trade to registration.How dividends are paidThe end-to-end dividend journey for Nigerian shareholders.Who regulates Shares SaverSEC, NGX, and CSCS oversight explained.How Crown Capital executes tradesHow your broker partner places orders on the NGX.

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What is a CSCS account?•How shares are registered•Our broker partners