Abuja, Nigeria – July 29–30, 2025: The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has announced that it will strike off 100,000 companies from its register. This enforcement targets firms that have been inactive for at least ten years, failed to file annual returns, or did not disclose their Persons with Significant Control (PSC)—both mandatory under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020.
Affected firms now have a 90-day grace period, starting from the date of official publication (July 28–29, 2025), to re‑activate their registrations: file all missing returns, provide PSC details, and where applicable, send an activation email to activation@cac.gov.ng.
What This Means
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Dormant Company: A business that’s not trading or has not complied with CAC rules—especially not filing annual forms—for over 10 years.
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Delisting (Striking Off): Once struck off, a company is deemed dissolved and loses the legal right to operate anywhere, unless it obtains a Federal High Court restoration order.
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Legal Consequence: Continuing business under a struck‑off company is illegal and fraught with risk.
Legal Basis: Section 692(3) & (4) of CAMA 2020
CAMA empowers the CAC to remove companies that:
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Fail to file annual returns, or
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Do not provide PSC information for a prolonged period
When a company is struck off, it is considered legally dissolved from the date of publication. Re-establishing its status requires going to Federal High Court, a costly and time-consuming process.
Why CAC Is Taking This Action
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Clean corporate registry: Removing ghost companies clogged in CAC records.
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Boost transparency: Ensuring all firms report annual activity and beneficial owners.
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Align with global compliance norms, including anti‑money laundering requirements.
What Businesses Should Do: Step‑by‑Step Guide
| Step | Action | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Check if your company is on the CAC list | Visit the CAC website for the list of affected companies | If listed, you are at risk of delisting |
| 2. File all outstanding annual returns | Go back up to 10 years and update PSC disclosure | Shows you are active and compliant |
| 3. Send activation email (if required) to activation@cac.gov.ng | As noted in the CAC notice | Confirms you intend to continue operations |
| 4. Pay any late filing penalties and fees | CAC charges additional fees for delays | Prevents getting struck off |
| 5. Confirm with CAC that your records are now up to date within 90 days | Follow up to assure they updated your status | Avoids future surprise delisting |
| 6. Keep future compliance routine | File annual returns within 42 days of your anniversary (for companies) or by June 30 (for business names) | Avoid re‑listing risks under CAMA 2020 |
FAQs
What if I have not made revenue or profits for years?
Even loss-making or inactive companies must file annual returns and PSC details. Compliance does not depend on trading, but on meeting legal obligations. Failure to do so triggers delisting regardless of commercial reality.
What happens if my business is struck off?
It becomes dissolved by law. You cannot legally operate or enter into contracts, open bank accounts, or collect payments under that name. You’d have to go to a Federal High Court to apply for restoration, which is more costly and slower than regular compliance.
What if I genuinely never started the business?
Compliance still applies. Filing an annual return—even a nil return—maintains your registration. Some businesses register pre‑launch and delay filing—but that strategy now brings risk of automatic delisting.
Final Thoughts
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This is not just a routine notice—the CAC is prepared to remove up to 100,000 companies, representing about 15% of registered entities, unless they act fast.
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90 days from late July 2025 is your deadline. Missing it risks permanent loss of legal status.
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If your business is still active or you hope to resume operations, use this window to update your filings, pay any fees, and confirm with CAC that your status is active again.
By following these steps, you stay compliant under CAMA 2020, protect your legal standing, and avoid costly legal restoration.
