The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has commenced a fresh nationwide compliance exercise that could lead to the removal of 100,000 companies from Nigeria’s corporate register over continued failure to meet statutory filing requirements under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), 2020.
In a public notice issued on Wednesday, the Commission said the exercise is being carried out in line with Section 692 (3) and (4) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020, which authorises it to strike off companies that fail to comply with regulatory obligations.
The CAC directed all affected companies to regularise their status within 90 days by filing all outstanding Annual Returns and providing information on Persons with Significant Control (PSC), also referred to as beneficial ownership information.
According to the Commission, the names of the affected companies have already been published on its official website. It advised the affected businesses to submit evidence of compliance to its designated email address after completing the required filings.
The Commission warned that companies that fail to comply within the stipulated timeframe would be removed from the register.
“Please note that companies that fail to comply within the stipulated timeline shall be struck off the Register without further notice,” the Commission stated.
The CAC explained that the exercise is part of its ongoing efforts to maintain an accurate, credible and up-to-date companies register while ensuring that registered entities comply with their statutory responsibilities.
It added that the Commission remains committed to delivering efficient registration and regulatory services while promoting confidence in Nigeria’s corporate governance system.
The latest compliance drive comes months after the Commission announced a similar exercise in February 2026, when it also revealed plans to delist 100,000 companies for prolonged inactivity and failure to comply with statutory obligations.
The CAC further recalled that more than 400,000 companies were removed from the register in 2025 due to extended inactivity and non-compliance, describing the exercise as part of efforts to sanitise the national companies register and strengthen its integrity.
Under the Companies and Allied Matters Act, every registered company is required to file Annual Returns with the Commission to confirm that it remains active and compliant with regulatory requirements. Companies are expected to submit their Annual Returns within 42 days after each anniversary of incorporation, while registered business names must file their annual returns before June 30 each year.
The Commission noted that failure to comply attracts statutory penalties, including late filing fees and the possibility of deregistration.
It also explained that the compulsory disclosure of Persons with Significant Control forms part of Nigeria’s wider efforts to improve corporate transparency, combat money laundering, and align with international standards on beneficial ownership disclosure.
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