(DDM) – The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has removed 247 companies from its database after uncovering that they were never legally registered in Nigeria.
In an official notice posted on its verified X handle on Friday, the Commission explained that the move followed a thorough internal review of corporate records.
According to the CAC, the affected entities had been parading themselves as duly incorporated limited liability companies when, in fact, they had no legal standing.
The Commission clarified that the registration certificates and AC numbers linked to the companies were entirely fabricated.
It emphasised that none of the names on the list existed in its official registry at any point in time.
The CAC described the situation as a serious breach of corporate trust, warning that such fraudulent practices could mislead unsuspecting members of the public into transacting with non-existent businesses.
“This public notice serves as a disclaimer regarding the purported incorporation of the listed companies,” the statement read.
“The names are not, and have never been, registered as limited liability companies by the Corporate Affairs Commission.”
The Commission urged Nigerians, business owners, and investors to exercise caution when dealing with any company whose legitimacy has not been verified through official channels.
It further reminded the public that the CAC operates an open-access search portal where anyone can confirm the status of a business before entering into contracts or financial agreements.
Officials explained that the deletion of the 247 companies forms part of a wider crackdown on fraudulent corporate activities.
The exercise, they noted, is also intended to protect the credibility of Nigeria’s formal business sector, which plays a critical role in attracting local and foreign investment.
By eliminating unregistered entities, the CAC aims to reduce cases of corporate identity theft, advance business transparency, and promote compliance with the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA).
Observers say the purge will help restore public trust in corporate registration processes, which have sometimes been exploited by fraudsters to create fake identities for illicit operations.
While no arrests were announced in connection with the delisted companies, legal experts believe the Commission’s action will make it more difficult for such outfits to defraud unsuspecting victims.
The CAC pledged to continue publishing the names of any company found to have obtained registration through false pretences or whose documentation cannot be verified.
A complete list of the 247 delisted entities has been released on the Commission’s official channels, allowing the public to cross-check and avoid dealing with them.
The Commission stressed that the clean-up of its database is ongoing and warned that more names could be struck off in the coming months if irregularities are detected.
It assured that genuine businesses have nothing to fear, as the exercise is targeted strictly at fake, dormant, or illegally operating entities that never met Nigeria’slegal requirements for incorporation.