Abuja, Nigeria – April 29, 2025 – The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has issued a stern six-week ultimatum to all businesses operating within Nigeria to ensure full compliance with the registration requirements outlined in the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020. The directive, announced in a circular released on Tuesday in Abuja, signals a move towards stricter enforcement of business registration laws across the country.

The CAC explicitly stated that following the expiration of the six-week grace period, it will initiate necessary legal action against any businesses found to be operating without proper registration. This includes companies, limited liability partnerships, limited partnerships, and business names.

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“It is a criminal offence under Section 863 of CAMA to carry on business in Nigeria without proper registration or to use a name or acronym other than that under which the entity is legally registered,” the Commission emphasized in its statement.

Furthermore, the CAC highlighted Section 729 of CAMA, which mandates all registered entities to prominently display their registered name and registration number outside every physical business location.

This information is also required to be visible on all official publications, including letterheads, signage, and all forms of marketing and publicity materials.

The Commission also drew attention to the severe penalties outlined in Section 862(1) of the Act for individuals who knowingly provide false statements in any document submitted as required by CAMA. Offenders risk facing a two-year prison term in addition to a daily fine for each day the infraction persists.

In light of these regulations and the impending enforcement, the CAC strongly advised all business owners to take immediate and proactive steps to regularize their operational status. The Commission warned that non-compliance with the stipulated registration requirements will be met with swift and decisive enforcement actions after the six-week deadline.

This ultimatum underscores the CAC’s commitment to ensuring a transparent and legally compliant business environment in Nigeria.