SEC deepens investor education, unclaimed dividend recovery drive in Nasarawa

By Onu Okorie

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Nigeria, has intensified efforts to promote financial literacy, strengthen investor protection and expand participation in the Nigerian capital market through its Capital Market Awareness, Unclaimed Funds and Investor Education Outreach Programme held in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
The programme brought together representatives of relevant institutions, academia and other stakeholders to raise awareness of investment opportunities, facilitate the recovery of unclaimed dividends and other investment assets, and educate the public on how to identify and avoid fraudulent investment schemes.
Participants included representatives of the ICMR, the Probate Registry, various departments of the SEC, academia and the National Population Commission. Their involvement highlighted the importance of collaboration among institutions in addressing the challenges of unclaimed investments and improving public understanding of the capital market.
Members of the SEC Board who attended the programme also delivered goodwill messages, reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to investor education, public enlightenment and measures to protect investors while broadening access to the capital market.
A major highlight of the engagement was a courtesy visit by the SEC Chairman, Alhaji Mairiga Aliyu Katuka, to the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, during which he appreciated the state government’s support and sought stronger collaboration in advancing investor education and financial inclusion.
Katuka expressed gratitude to the governor for providing strategically located office space in Lafia for the Commission’s liaison office.
The facility, located within the complex previously occupied by the State Ministry of Education, is expected to become operational soon. Its opening is expected to bring the Commission’s services closer to investors and residents of Nasarawa State.
The SEC chairman described the gesture as a significant contribution to strengthening the Commission’s presence in the state and improving public access to its services.
In his response, Governor Sule commended the SEC for its role in regulating the Nigerian capital market and promoting investor protection and market confidence.
He also acknowledged the importance of initiatives designed to improve public awareness of investment opportunities and encourage informed participation in the capital market.
The governor’s remarks underscored the importance of collaboration between the Commission and the Nasarawa State Government in promoting financial inclusion, market transparency and economic development.
Katuka, in turn, commended the state government’s efforts to promote investment, enterprise, industrialisation and sustainable economic growth, noting that Nasarawa’s growing economic potential made it an important partner in expanding participation in the Nigerian capital market.
He explained that the outreach programme was part of the Commission’s nationwide efforts to improve financial literacy, promote legitimate investment opportunities, protect investors and help Nigerians recover unclaimed dividends and other investment assets.
The SEC chairman also solicited the state government’s support in mobilising business owners, cooperative societies, youth groups, market associations and other stakeholders to participate actively in the initiative.
According to him, an informed population is better positioned to make sound financial decisions, safeguard personal savings and contribute meaningfully to economic growth.
At the outreach, the Commission drew attention to the persistent challenge of unclaimed dividends and other investment assets, stressing the need to ensure that funds belonging to investors are recovered by their rightful owners.
Unclaimed investments may result from incomplete investor records, outdated shareholder information, changes in bank account details and difficulties associated with transferring investments following the death of an investor.
The Commission emphasised that such funds represent the savings and investments of individuals and families and should be accessible to their rightful owners through established procedures.
To address the problem, the SEC highlighted the enhanced e-Dividend Mandate Management System, which enables dividends to be paid directly into shareholders’ bank accounts and allows investors to update their records more conveniently.
Investors were encouraged to regularise their investment information and take advantage of available facilities to facilitate the recovery of outstanding dividends.
The Commission also stressed the need for greater cooperation among registrars and other capital market stakeholders to improve record management, enhance service delivery and resolve outstanding claims.
The outreach programme further reinforced the SEC’s commitment to investor protection, financial literacy and wider access to reliable information about the capital market.
Through sustained engagement with government institutions, academia, market operators and the public, the Commission aims to strengthen investor confidence, promote responsible investment practices and encourage broader participation in Nigeria’s financial markets.