The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has issued a six-week ultimatum to all unregistered businesses in Nigeria to complete their registration with the Commission or face legal consequences.

This directive was contained in a public notice issued by the CAC on Tuesday, titled “PUBLIC NOTICE: CARRYING ON BUSINESS IN NIGERIA UNDER AN UNREGISTERED NAME OR ACRONYM.”

According to the notice, failure to comply within the stipulated period will attract prosecution and possible imprisonment.

The Commission reminded the public that under Section 863 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), 2020, it is a criminal offence to operate a company, limited liability partnership, limited partnership, or business name in Nigeria without proper registration. It is also unlawful to conduct business under a name or acronym not officially registered under the Act.

The notice further cited Section 729 of CAMA, which mandates every registered entity to display its registered name and registration number at all business premises.

“In addition,” the statement read, “companies are required to include their registered name and registration number on all official publications, including letterheads, signage, marketing materials, and publicity content.”

The Commission stressed that non-compliance may lead to enforcement action, including prosecution. A conviction could attract a prison sentence of up to two years.

It also drew attention to Section 862(1) of the Act, which stipulates that any person who knowingly makes a false statement in any document required under CAMA—including official company publications—commits an offence. Upon conviction, such an offender is liable to a two-year imprisonment term and a daily fine for each day the offence persists.

The CAC urged all companies, limited liability partnerships, limited partnerships, and proprietors of business names to comply with the law within six weeks from the date of the notice, warning that enforcement measures would follow any default.