The move, unveiled in a public notice issued by the Commission, marks the sixth batch of companies slated for removal from the register as the CAC intensifies efforts to enforce compliance with the provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), 2020.
According to the Commission, the exercise is being carried out pursuant to Section 692 (3) and (4) of CAMA 2020, which empowers it to remove companies that fail to meet mandatory post-incorporation obligations.
The CAC said the affected companies have been directed to file all outstanding annual returns and regularise their Beneficial Ownership or Persons with Significant Control (PSC) information within 90 days of the notice.
It warned that any company that fails to comply within the stipulated period would be struck off the register without further notice.
The Commission also disclosed that the full list of the affected 100,000 companies has been published on its official website to enable businesses verify their status and take immediate corrective action.
As part of the compliance process, companies are required to submit evidence of regularisation to the designated CAC email address after completing the necessary filings.
The latest action underscores the Commission’s determination to sanitise Nigeria’s corporate registry by eliminating inactive and non-compliant entities while promoting greater transparency in corporate ownership and governance.
Industry experts say the exercise is expected to improve the credibility of Nigeria’s corporate database, strengthen regulatory oversight and enhance investor confidence by ensuring that only companies meeting their statutory obligations remain on the register.
The compliance drive also serves as a reminder to registered businesses of the legal consequences of failing to file annual returns and maintain up-to-date ownership records, obligations regarded as fundamental to corporate accountability under Nigerian law.
In its notice, the Commission reaffirmed its commitment to providing efficient registration and regulatory services, urging affected companies to act swiftly to avoid losing their legal status. For thousands of businesses now facing possible deregistration, the 90-day window represents the final opportunity to preserve their corporate identity before the Commission proceeds with the planned strike-off exercise.
