The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has issued a notice to businesses across Nigeria, mandating compliance with registration requirements under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020 within six weeks or face legal sanctions.
In a public advisory released Tuesday, the Commission underscored that operating without official registration—whether as a company, limited liability partnership, limited partnership, or using an unregistered business name or acronym—is in direct violation of the Act.
“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 as a Company, Limited Liability Partnership, Limited Partnership, or under a Business Name without registration under the Act or by a name (or acronym) other than the name (or acronym) by which the business was registered under the Act,” the statement read.
Section 862(1) of the Act also criminalizes the submission of false statements in official business documents. Violators may face up to two years’ imprisonment along with daily fines as long as the offence persists.
“In particular, the general public should note the provisions of Section 862(1) of the Act, which provides that any person who, in any document required by, or for the purpose of, any of the provisions of the Act (including the aforementioned official publications of a company), makes a statement that is false in any material particular, knowing it to be false, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of two years, in addition to a daily fine against the company for every day during which the offence continues,” the CAC added.
Proper Display of Registered Business Information Required
The Commission also cited Section 729 of the Act, which directs all registered entities to conspicuously display their official names and registration numbers outside every business location and on all formal communication materials.
“The general public should note that Section 729 of the Act requires every company registered under the Act to state its name as registered and its registration number outside every place where it carries on business,” the statement further explained.
“In addition, the company is required to state its registered name and registration number on all its official publications, including its letterhead, signage(s), marketing, and publicity materials,” the statement added.
According to the CAC, this requirement ensures transparency and reinforces regulatory oversight.
Legal Consequences Await Non-Compliant Businesses
The Commission advised all business operators, whether individuals or corporate entities, to promptly regularize their business names to avoid legal action. Affected entities have six weeks from the date of the notice to comply.
“In view of the foregoing, every company, limited liability partnership, limited partnership, and business name proprietor(s) is hereby required to ensure full compliance with the above requirements of the Act within six (6) weeks of this notice, failing which the Commission shall take all necessary steps (including prosecution) to enforce compliance,” the statement concluded.
The CAC urged the public to visit its official website www.cac.gov.ng for complete guidelines and information on how to complete the registration process.
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