CSL Stockbrokers Limited was incorporated on September 27, 1977, and commenced business in January 1978 providing, individual, corporate and government clients, with high quality professional and personalized financial and investment services. Since inception, CSL has played a notable role in the development of the Nigerian capital market by arranging public issues and private placements of equity and debt of leading Nigerian companies.

Amongst which were the public issue of 18 million shares, valued at Sixteen million Naira for Mobil Oil Nigeria Limited in June of 1978, which at the time was the largest single equity issue to be brought to the Nigerian capital market and the acquisition of 60% equity stake of AgipPetroli in Agip Nigeria Plc by Unipetrol Nigeria Plc, worth N8.413 billion, one of the largest block trade ever in the history of the Nigerian Stock Exchange till date. Also in 1980, City Securities Limited, in partnership with the London merchant bank, Charterhouse Japhet Limited, advised on the financial restructuring of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation [NNPC].