The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has called on Nigerian investors to check and recover unclaimed funds and other outstanding benefits linked to their investments in the capital market.
The commission made the appeal during a two-day investor education programme and clinic on unclaimed funds held in Kano.
Hajia Samiya Hassan-Usman, Executive Commissioner, Corporate Services at the SEC, said the initiative was designed to educate investors about their rights and guide them through the process of recovering legitimate entitlements.
Investors Encouraged to Search for Missing Entitlements
Hassan-Usman urged individuals, families and organisations to use the opportunity to determine whether they had outstanding funds from investments made in the Nigerian capital market.
She explained that many investors are unaware that they may have unpaid entitlements arising from activities such as public offers, mergers, acquisitions and other corporate transactions.
According to her, some funds have remained untouched for years because beneficiaries either did not know about them or lacked information on how to access them.
The SEC official said the programme was part of broader efforts to strengthen investor protection and improve financial awareness among Nigerians.
SEC Promotes E-Dividend Registration
Beyond helping investors recover unclaimed funds, Hassan-Usman said the initiative also focused on encouraging proper investment record management and e-dividend registration.
She advised investors to update their personal details and provide accurate bank information to ensure they receive future investment returns without unnecessary delays.
Maintaining correct records, she said, would reduce challenges associated with accessing dividends and other investment benefits.
Investors Warned Against Fraudulent Schemes
The SEC also cautioned investors against Ponzi schemes and suspicious investment platforms promising unrealistic returns.
Hassan-Usman advised Nigerians to confirm that investment operators are registered with the commission before committing their money.
She warned investors to be careful of offers that guarantee unusually high profits with little or no risk.
“Before making any investment decision, verify that the operator is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and take time to understand the risks involved,” she advised.
CBN Highlights Importance of Investor Awareness
A representative of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Kano branch, Nasiru Shehu, described the programme as timely, noting that many investors lack adequate knowledge about recovering funds linked to their investments.
Shehu explained that investors who participate in public share offerings may sometimes receive fewer shares than they applied for or may have outstanding balances and other entitlements.
He said limited awareness of the recovery process has prevented some investors from accessing funds that belong to them.
According to him, the investor clinic provides an opportunity for participants to ask questions, receive guidance and better understand their rights and responsibilities within the capital market.
The SEC said improved investor awareness would help Nigerians recover legitimate funds, make better financial decisions and support a more transparent and inclusive capital market.
