Corporate Affairs Commission: News, Updates & Insights
When dealing with Corporate Affairs Commission, Nigeria’s federal agency that registers companies, monitors corporate filings, and enforces the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA). Also known as CAC, it plays a central role in the country’s business ecosystem. In Nigeria, the most populous economy in West Africa, the CAC works hand‑in‑hand with the Ministry of Industry and the Federal Inland Revenue Service to keep the corporate landscape transparent and functional. The agency’s daily grind includes approving company names, issuing registration certificates, and tracking changes in directors or share capital. If you’ve ever wondered who makes sure a new tech start‑up can legally open a bank account, that’s the CAC pulling the strings.
Key Laws and Processes Shaping Corporate Affairs
The backbone of everything the CAC does is the Companies and Allied Matters Act, the primary legislation governing company formation, management, and dissolution in Nigeria. This act defines what counts as a valid business registration, the formal process of recording a new company with the CAC, including name reservation, filing of Memorandum and Articles of Association, and payment of statutory fees. The CAC requires firms to file annual returns, maintain a registered office, and keep accurate shareholder registers – all pillars of good corporate governance. In practice, the agency enforces CAMA, monitors corporate governance, and requires filing of annual returns, creating a clear compliance loop for businesses of any size.
Beyond the law, the CAC’s work intersects with other regulators that shape the business climate. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) sets monetary policy that influences financing for corporations, while the Federal Tax Authority (FIRS) handles tax registration and compliance. When the CBN cut its benchmark rate to 27%, companies rushed to refinance, and the CAC saw a spike in loan‑related filings as firms updated their capital structures. Likewise, recent debates in the House of Representatives about creating 31 new states have ripple effects on corporate jurisdiction, tax bases, and the administrative workload of the CAC.
Recent headlines illustrate how the CAC sits at the crossroads of politics, law, and entrepreneurship. Fejiro Oliver’s N1 billion lawsuit against Delta State officials highlighted concerns over press freedom, but it also raised questions about corporate liability and the role of the CAC in protecting media corporations. Tinubu’s posthumous pardons sparked a national conversation on justice reform, which could eventually alter the legal environment in which companies operate. Even sports news, like the Kenya‑offered neutral venue for a World Cup qualifier, indirectly touches the CAC because any foreign‑owned club playing in Africa must register locally to meet compliance standards. These stories show that the CAC isn’t just a filing office; it’s a pulse‑check on how governance, economics, and society intertwine.
Below you’ll find a curated list of articles that dive deeper into the CAC’s latest actions, regulatory updates, and the broader business climate in Nigeria. Whether you’re a founder, an investor, or just curious about how companies stay legit, the stories ahead give you a front‑row seat to the forces shaping corporate affairs today.
Nigeria's CAC & SMEDAN Offer Free Registration to 250,000 MSMEs
Nigeria’s CAC and SMEDAN launch a free registration scheme for 250,000 MSMEs, waiving ₦3 billion in fees to shift informal firms into the formal economy.