In a bold and decisive move to sanitize Nigeria’s corporate landscape, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has issued a six-week ultimatum to all unregistered businesses operating in the country, warning that failure to comply with registration requirements will attract criminal prosecution, including jail terms and daily fines.
In a public notice released on Tuesday, the Commission sounded the alarm over the widespread non-compliance with the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020, stressing that it is a criminal offence to operate as a company, limited liability partnership, limited partnership, or under any business name or acronym without due registration with the CAC.
Quoting the law, the Commission pointed specifically to Section 863 of CAMA, which clearly states that carrying on business without registration is illegal and punishable. Additionally, Section 862(1) makes it a criminal offence to knowingly provide false information in any official company document, attracting penalties that include two years imprisonment and a daily fine for every day the offence persists.
The CAC also invoked Section 729, which mandates all duly registered entities to visibly display their registered name and CAC number at all business locations and on all official materials—ranging from letterheads to signage, marketing tools, and digital assets.
“The Commission wishes to inform the general public that it is a criminal offence under Section 863 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020, to carry on business in Nigeria under a name or acronym not registered with the CAC,” the statement read. “Companies are also required to reflect their official name and registration number on all platforms and documents, without exception.”
The Commission urged individuals and business owners to avoid the looming crackdown by visiting http://www.cac.gov.ng to complete their business registration and ensure full compliance with the law.
In a firm conclusion, the CAC warned:
> “Every company, limited liability partnership, limited partnership, and business name proprietor(s) is hereby required to ensure full compliance within six (6) weeks of this notice. Failure to do so will compel the Commission to initiate enforcement actions, including prosecution in accordance with the law.”
This announcement signals a new wave of regulatory enforcement aimed at formalising Nigeria’s vast informal sector and fostering greater transparency, accountability, and ease of doing business.
PIONEER NEWS 