The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has commenced a fresh nationwide compliance exercise that could see as many as 100,000 companies removed from Nigeria’s corporate register for failing to meet statutory filing obligations.
The Commission announced the move in a public notice released on Wednesday, stating that the affected firms risk being struck off if they do not regularise their records within the next 90 days.
According to the CAC, the action is being taken in line with the provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020, which empowers the Commission to remove companies that have failed to fulfil their legal reporting requirements.
The affected entities, which make up the sixth batch in the Commission’s ongoing clean-up exercise, were identified for failing to file annual returns and other mandatory corporate disclosures.
The Commission said the list of companies affected by the exercise has been published on its official website, urging directors and shareholders to check their status and take immediate steps to avoid deregistration.
As part of the compliance requirements, the affected firms have been directed to file all outstanding annual returns and update records relating to beneficial ownership and persons with significant control.
The CAC noted that companies that comply within the stipulated period would retain their registration status, while those that fail to act would be removed from the register.
To verify compliance, companies are required to submit evidence of completed filings through a designated email platform provided by the Commission.
The corporate regulator stressed that there would be no extension of the deadline and no further notice before the affected companies are struck off.
The latest exercise forms part of efforts by the CAC to maintain an up-to-date register of active businesses, improve transparency in corporate ownership and strengthen regulatory compliance across the business environment.
By removing dormant and non-compliant entities from its records, the Commission aims to enhance the integrity of Nigeria’s corporate database and ensure that registered companies meet their legal obligations.
The move is also expected to support broader efforts to improve corporate governance standards and promote accountability within the country's business sector.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to efficient service delivery and urged affected companies to take advantage of the grace period to regularise their affairs before the enforcement process is concluded.
If implemented as planned, the exercise would rank among the largest corporate registry clean-up operations undertaken by the CAC in recent years.
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