The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has granted an extension on the deadline for penalising companies failing to file annual returns, shifting the date from January 1, 2024, to April 1, 2024.
According to Mr. Dominic Inyang, the CAC’s Director of Press, this decision stems from technical challenges encountered on the Company Registration Portal (CRP) and appeals from the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector. He conveyed, “This extension has become necessary given the glitches presently experienced on the CRP and in deference to appeals from the MSME sector.”
The penalties, enforced under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020 and the Companies Regulations 2021, will be postponed to allow companies ample time to comply with the annual return filing requirement.
Inyang emphasised the significance of this extension, urging all registered entities under CAMA, including Companies, Limited Liability Partnerships, Limited Partnerships, Business Names, and Incorporated Trustees, to utilise this opportunity to fulfil their annual return obligations.
However, he clarified that the extension does not affect ongoing striking-off proceedings initiated by the commission before the initial notice was published on November 2. Inyang cautioned, “Companies, their directors, and officers should note that the Commission shall henceforth proceed against the directors and officers of struck-off companies to recover undischarged penalties against them.”
For detailed information and inquiries, interested parties are encouraged to visit the CAC website at www.cac.gov.ng or contact the commission via email at service@cac.gov.ng; helpdesk@cac.gov.ng, or by phone at +234 708 062 9000.
