By Peace Erewunmi

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has commenced the process of striking off 100,000 companies from its register over their failure to comply with statutory filing requirements, particularly the submission of annual returns as stipulated under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020. The exercise is part of the Commission’s ongoing effort to maintain an accurate and up-to-date register of active companies.

According to the CAC, the affected companies have been published under Batch 6 of its strike-off exercise. The Commission has given the companies 90 days from the date of the notice to file all outstanding annual returns, update their Persons with Significant Control (PSC) or beneficial ownership information, and regularise their records.

The Commission advised company owners and directors to visit the CAC official website to verify whether their businesses are on the list of affected entities. Companies that successfully complete the required filings are expected to forward evidence of compliance to the designated CAC email address within the stipulated period.

CAC warned that companies that fail to comply within the 90-day window will be struck off the register without further notice. Once deregistered, such companies will lose their legal status and may no longer operate as registered entities unless restored through the legal process provided under the law.

The Commission reiterated that the exercise is a regulatory compliance initiative aimed at improving the integrity of Nigeria’s corporate registry rather than targeting any particular group or sector. It encouraged all registered companies to remain compliant with their statutory obligations to avoid sanctions and ensure continued legal recognition.