E-Financial
SEC Phases Out Unclaimed Dividends
The Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, has said it has phased out unclaimed dividends in the Nigerian capital market, stating that henceforth, there would be no future unclaimed dividends on those currently being declared by companies.
In a statement in Abuja, Ms. Mary Uduk, Acting Director General of SEC, stated that the commission had gone very far in addressing the unclaimed dividends problem, stating that the decision to eliminate it completely, going forward, was a major milestone.
Uduk who was represented in a television interview by the Head, Office of the Chief Economist of SEC, Mr. Okey Umeano, said the Commission had engaged Nigeria Interbank Settlement System to make use of the Bank Verification Number, and had gotten the Central Securitas Clearing System, CSCS, and the registrars working towards ensuring a significant reduction.
She said, “More importantly, we know that there would be no future unclaimed dividends, there would be no addition to the unclaimed dividends profile and we count that as a success.
“We believe that once we solve the identity issues that we have presently, the problem of unclaimed dividends will be a thing of the past. Also we have continued with our education of the market, we are making more efforts towards awareness on what stakeholders need to know to make the market more attractive, make it better and protect the investors more.”
Uduk stated that the Commission is continuing the implementation of the 10-year capital market master plan to make the market more attractive to investors.
She said “This year, one of the things we decided to resolve was resolving the unclaimed dividend problems as well as regularisation of multiple accounts. On all counts we have made a lot of strides. Next year we are picking a few other things like derivatives trading, commodities trading ecosystem and strengthening the CIS segment of the market.
The Acting SEC boss stated that the issues around multiple subscription was still on, and urged affected investors to regularise their accounts so that their shares can become active and the investors can also get the benefits of investing in the market.
“We have given some time for those affected to regularise their accounts. The stockbrokers and registrars are working on that and we believe that in no time we will identify the owners of those accounts and put them together so that those shares will become tradable again,” she explained.
Uduk stated that the elimination of dividend warrants in the market has been a major game changer and therefore urged investors to register for e-dividend to access the benefits.
She said, “What that means is that when dividends are paid, investors no longer have to wait for warrants by post as these dividends are paid directly into their accounts. That is why we are saying that going forward, accounts without full details, that have not been updated will no longer be allowed to trade.
“This is because we do not want the legacy issues to continue, we don’t want unclaimed dividends to keep growing, we want it to be such that when dividends are paid investors get it directly to their bank accounts. This will also help in making the market more liquid.”
Independent revenue remittance by the Government-Owned Enterprises (GOEs) moved from ₦200 billion in 2013 to over ₦2 trillion in 2024, Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) confirmed the updated figure, on Wednesday.
FRC attributed the surge to collaboration between it and House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
Speaking at 2025 National Conference on Public Accounts and Fiscal Governance, held at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, Executive Chairman of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), Victor Muruako, Esq however notes with concern persistent challenge despite achievements. He cited weak enforcement mechanisms, limited public awareness, and the slow domestication of the FRA at the subnational level as according to him, only 26 out of 36 states have adopted similar laws.
He advocated for the establishment of a National Fiscal Governance Framework to improve coordination and strengthen audit and oversight structures.
Muruako further underscored the need for strict adherence to constitutional provisions, particularly regarding public debt and borrowing, which remain under the exclusive legislative list. He urged federal and sub-national actors to align their fiscal policies under the renewed hope agenda of President Tinubu’s administration.
Muruako called on state and local government operators across Nigeria to adopt and fully implement fiscal responsibility laws in line with the federal framework.
The event organized by House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC), brought together key financial stakeholders to discuss strategies for promoting transparency and sustainable development in Nigeria’s public financial management.
He lauded administration’s of president Bola Ahmed Tinubu commitment to strengthening financial policies aimed at driving economic growth. He emphasized that states and local governments must “key into” the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) to ensure fiscal discipline and alignment with federal financial standards.
Highlighting a critical legislative gap, Muruako noted that the FRA 2007 currently outlines 54 offenses but does not prescribe punishments for offenders. He called for the urgent amendment of the Act to include stronger penalties, thereby enhancing compliance and service delivery.
“The Act must be amended speedily for efficiency and to deliver real value to Nigerians,” he stressed.
He congratulated the PAC, led by Hon. Bamidele Salam, for hosting the conference, which he described as a pivotal step toward strengthening accountability in the public sector.
He advocated for the establishment of a National Fiscal Governance Framework to improve coordination and strengthen audit and oversight structures.
Muruako further underscored the need for strict adherence to constitutional provisions, particularly regarding public debt and borrowing, which remain under the Exclusive Legislative List. He urged federal and subnational actors to align their fiscal policies under the Renewed Hope agenda of President Tinubu’s administration.
Reaffirming the FRC’s commitment to advancing transparency and reducing financial leakages, Muruako pledged continued support to the PAC in institutionalizing sound public financial management practices.
He also congratulated the committee for securing Nigeria’s hosting rights for the 2025 West African Association of Public Accounts Committees (WAPAC) Annual Conference, describing it as a testament to Nigeria’s leadership in regional fiscal governance.
Union Bank of Nigeria has reacted to the recent judgment delivered by Justice Abike Fadipe of the Ikeja High Court involving Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, NICON Investment Limited, Global Fleet, and the bank.
The bank expressed strong disagreement with the ruling and confirmed that its legal team has been directed to file an appeal immediately. It said the court’s position on issues such as debt consolidation, locus standi, and third-party liability contradicts existing legal principles and the bank’s understanding of the facts.
In a statement released by Mrs. Olufunmilola Aluko, Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, Union Bank reiterated that the relevant debt obligations had been transferred to the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), adding that all actions taken were in line with the law and standard banking procedures.
Union Bank assured stakeholders, customers, and the general public of its continued commitment to ethical practices, legal compliance, and professional conduct. It said it remains dedicated to protecting stakeholder interests and upholding the integrity that has defined its operations for more than a century.
The bank concluded by thanking all stakeholders for their trust and support as it navigates the ongoing legal process.
PalmPay, a leading digital banking platform in Africa has announced the launch of strategic partnerships with top-tier insurance providers to offer accessible, affordable and simplified insurance products directly within the PalmPay app.
This initiative reflects the brand’s continued commitment to deepening financial inclusion and underscores its mission to improve the wellbeing of everyday Nigerians.
With only about 8.9% of Nigerians currently covered by any form of health insurance, the country remains one of the least insured populations in Africa. Barriers such as low awareness, affordability challenges, and trust issues continue to hinder broader adoption of insurance products.
PalmPay’s new insurance offering directly addresses these challenges by simplifying the purchase and management of insurance policies within the app. The PalmPay insurance feature is designed to make essential coverage, from health to device, and life insurance easily accessible at affordable prices, eliminating the traditional complexities often associated with insurance.
“Insurance is often perceived as complex or inaccessible, especially among underserved communities.” said Habib Kowontan, Head of Wealth Product at PalmPay. “Through these partnerships, we aim to break down those barriers by offering simple, reliable and affordable insurance options that are easily accessible within the PalmPay app.”
With over 35 million users across Nigeria, PalmPay continues to evolve as a smart, consumer-first digital banking platform. The integration of insurance services complements its growing suite of offerings, which includes transfers, bill payments, high-interest savings, and debit card services, making PalmPay one of the most comprehensive digital banking platforms in the African market.
“Our goal at PalmPay is to remove barriers and make essential services easily accessible to everyone,” said Mr Chika Nwosu, Managing Director of PalmPay. “Through these strategic partnerships, we’re expanding our services to be more inclusive and empowering our users with products that will positively impact their lives and finances.”
This rollout marks a significant milestone in PalmPay’s broader strategy to empower users with tools that enhance their daily lives. Building not just a payments app, but a smart and trusted financial partner for millions of Nigerians.
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