By Kabiru Abdulrauf
In a sweeping regulatory move, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has given all unregistered businesses in Nigeria a six-week deadline to comply with registration requirements or face serious legal consequences, including possible imprisonment.
The directive was announced in a public notice titled “Carrying on Business in Nigeria Under an Unregistered Name or Acronym,” issued by the Commission on Tuesday. According to the CAC, it is a criminal offence under Section 863 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020 to operate a business in Nigeria without formal registration.
“Any individual or entity running a business without registering as a company, limited liability partnership, limited partnership, or under a recognized business name risks prosecution,” the CAC stated. The offence could lead to a jail term of up to two years and additional fines.
The Commission also reminded registered businesses of their obligation to display their registered name and registration number at all business premises and on official documents such as letterheads, advertisements, and promotional materials, as required under Section 729 of the Act.
Of particular concern is the increasing number of businesses operating under unregistered acronyms or false names. The CAC warned that knowingly providing false information or documents—such as using incorrect business names—is a punishable offence under Section 862, carrying both jail time and daily fines.
The Commission urged all business operators to comply within six weeks of the notice or face enforcement actions. This move is part of the government’s broader effort to ensure accountability, transparency, and legal compliance in the Nigerian business environment.
