SEC Opens Direct Reporting Channel for Investors Seeking Unclaimed Funds

Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has established a dedicated Unclaimed Monies Office to help investors report outstanding funds and pursue the recovery of money owed to them in the capital market.

The initiative is intended to provide investors with a more direct channel for resolving complaints involving unclaimed dividends and other investment entitlements, reducing the need to navigate lengthy administrative procedures.

The SEC’s Director-General, Emomotimi Agama, disclosed the development, according to a report published by Leadership on October 25, 2026.

The new office is expected to serve as a point of contact for investors experiencing difficulties recovering funds. Once a complaint is received, the commission can engage relevant parties, including companies and share registrars, to help resolve the matter.

How the initiative could help investors

Unclaimed dividends and dormant investments have remained a challenge for shareholders and beneficiaries in Nigeria. Some investors may be unaware of outstanding entitlements, while others encounter difficulties tracing investments, updating shareholder records or completing the necessary documentation.

The SEC has previously highlighted problems affecting families seeking to recover shares and other financial assets belonging to deceased relatives, including delays linked to probate procedures and inadequate knowledge of the claims process.

The new office could help bridge the gap between identifying money owed to investors and taking the steps necessary to recover it.

For shareholders, this may be particularly relevant when dividends remain unpaid or when changes in personal details make it difficult to trace investment records.

How investors can pursue their claims

Investors with outstanding dividends or other capital-market entitlements can begin by contacting the SEC through its official investor channels and explaining the nature of their complaint.

The commission also provides an online facility for checking unclaimed dividends. Its published guidance directs companies and registrars to continue honoring eligible claims while the Unclaimed Funds Trust Fund arrangements are being operationalized.

Investors can start with these official resources:

• • SEC Nigeria Investor Hub — investor information and official resources.
  • SEC ePortal — access the commission's online services and look for the unclaimed-dividend facility.

Investors should keep relevant shareholder details, dividend statements and identification documents available. Beneficiaries claiming investments belonging to deceased relatives may also need probate or estate-administration documents.

The SEC's published circular provides important guidance on the treatment of unclaimed dividends. Investors should confirm their individual eligibility and applicable requirements directly with the commission or their registrar.

Why these matters

The initiative could improve investor protection by making it easier to raise complaints and trace outstanding entitlements. Its practical impact will depend on how accessible the office is, how quickly complaints are resolved and how effectively the SEC coordinates with companies and registrars.

Note: Investors should not assume that missing dividends or dormant investments are permanently lost. Checking shareholder records and using official SEC channels may help them identify and pursue legitimate claims. However, reporting a claim does not automatically guarantee payment; each case remains subject to verification and applicable requirements.

Source: https://leadership.ng/investors-can-now-report-unclaimed-funds-directly-to-sec/