CAC Cleans Up Corporate Register with Massive Delisting Exercise
The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has undertaken a significant clean-up operation, removing more than 400,000 inactive and non-compliant companies from Nigeria's official business register. This decisive action was confirmed by the Registrar-General of the commission, Hussaini Magaji, during a recent Celebration Walk event organized by the CAC in Abuja.
Protecting Corporate Integrity Through Database Sanitization
Magaji emphasized that this mass delisting represents a deliberate effort to sanitize the commission's database and ensure that only active, law-abiding entities remain on the national register. The exercise was deemed necessary to protect the credibility and reliability of Nigeria's corporate records, reflecting the commission's broader commitment to strengthening corporate governance across the country.
This move follows an earlier 90-day ultimatum issued by the CAC to thousands of registered but dormant companies, requiring them to file all outstanding annual returns or face removal from the database. The commission's proactive approach demonstrates its dedication to maintaining accurate and current business information that can be trusted by investors, regulators, and the public.
Digital Transformation Revolutionizes Business Registration
In parallel with the database cleanup, the CAC has completed its transition from a manual, office-dependent system to a fully digital platform that enables end-to-end company registration services. According to Magaji, Nigerians can now complete business registrations online from anywhere in the world without the need to physically visit a CAC office.
Enhancing Business Environment and Supporting Entrepreneurs
The digital overhaul has significantly improved the ease of doing business in Nigeria, boosting transparency and increasing investor confidence in the country's corporate regulatory framework. As part of its support for small and medium-sized enterprises, the CAC has partnered with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to provide free business registration for 250,000 entrepreneurs.
This initiative aims to lower the cost of formalization and encourage small businesses to operate within the regulated economy. Additionally, the commission has activated a beneficial ownership register that allows the public to identify the true owners of companies operating in Nigeria. This register has gained international recognition as a valuable tool for promoting transparency and combating financial crimes.
Technological Advancements and Future Outlook
The CAC's digital transformation extends beyond basic online registration. The commission has recently launched an Artificial Intelligence-powered registration portal, marking a complete overhaul of the Company Registration Portal (CRP). This innovation, announced at the 2025 stakeholders' forum, changes how businesses will register names moving forward and represents another step in improving service delivery for Nigerian businesses.
These combined efforts—from cleaning up the corporate register to implementing cutting-edge digital solutions—demonstrate the CAC's commitment to modernizing Nigeria's business environment. The commission's initiatives are expected to contribute to a more transparent, efficient, and investor-friendly corporate landscape that supports economic growth and development across the nation.
