The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has stepped up efforts to help Nigerians recover unclaimed dividends and other investment assets, while strengthening investor protection and financial literacy in Nasarawa State.
The initiative formed part of the Commission’s Capital Market Awareness, Unclaimed Funds and Investor Education Outreach Programme held in Lafia, where the regulator urged stronger collaboration with the state government to expand public participation in the Nigerian capital market.
A major highlight was a meeting between SEC Chairman, Mairiga Aliyu Katuka, and Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, during which the Commission sought support to mobilise business owners, cooperative societies, youth groups and market associations for investor education.
Katuka thanked the governor for providing strategically located office space in Lafia for the SEC’s liaison office, which is expected to become operational soon.
The facility is intended to bring the Commission’s services closer to investors and residents.
Sule commended the SEC’s regulatory work and its efforts to protect investors, improve awareness of investment opportunities and build confidence in the capital market.
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At the outreach, the SEC highlighted the challenge of unclaimed dividends and other investment assets, which may result from incomplete investor records, outdated shareholder details, changes in bank accounts or difficulties transferring investments after an investor’s death.
The Commission said such funds belong to individuals and families and should be accessible to their rightful owners through established procedures.
To improve access, the SEC highlighted the enhanced e-Dividend Mandate Management System, which allows dividends to be paid directly into shareholders’ bank accounts and enables investors to update their records more conveniently.
Investors were encouraged to regularise their information to facilitate the recovery of outstanding dividends.
The Commission also stressed the need for cooperation among registrars and other market participants to improve record management and resolve outstanding claims.
The programme also focused on protecting the public from fraudulent investment schemes and promoting informed financial decisions.
Katuka said an informed population was better equipped to make sound financial decisions, protect its savings and contribute to economic growth.
The SEC said the outreach formed part of its nationwide efforts to improve financial literacy, promote legitimate investment opportunities and broaden participation in the capital market.
Alex is a business journalist cum data enthusiast with the Pinnacle Daily. He can be reached via ealex@thepinnacleng.com, @ehime_alex on X