According to the Registrar General, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) deregistered more than 400,000 companies from its register in 2025 for failing to file annual returns and/or remaining inactive. Many of the affected entities had not complied with statutory filing obligations for several years.
This development forms part of the CAC’s ongoing reforms aimed at cleaning up the corporate database, strengthening transparency, and improving investor confidence in Nigeria’s business environment. It also aligns with the Commission’s broader digitisation efforts and stricter enforcement posture.
Under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020, all registered companies are required to file annual returns to confirm that they remain operational and compliant. Where a company fails to meet this obligation, the CAC is empowered to issue notices and ultimately strike the company off the register. Once delisted, the company loses its legal standing and may face significant challenges in operating bank accounts, entering contracts, or enforcing legal rights.
This large-scale deregistration signals that regulatory compliance is no longer optional. The CAC is actively enforcing statutory obligations, and dormant or non-compliant entities are at real risk of being removed from the register.
We strongly advise business owners, directors, trustees, and professional advisers to ensure that annual returns are promptly filed with the CAC for all Business Names, Companies, and Incorporated Trustees to avoid delisting and potential legal complications.