Abuja, Nigeria – August 31, 2025 – The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has announced a further postponement of its revised service fee implementation, shifting the effective date from September 1 to October 1, 2025. This marks the second delay in the rollout of the new fee structure, initially scheduled for August 15, 2025, as the Commission prioritizes the stabilization of its upgraded Company Registration Portal (CRP). The decision, detailed in a public notice issued on Saturday in Abuja, underscores the CAC’s commitment to ensuring a seamless and efficient transition for its customers and stakeholders, particularly in response to reported technical glitches on the new digital platform.
The CAC’s move to defer the fee hike reflects its ongoing efforts to modernize Nigeria’s corporate registry, aligning it with global best practices while addressing the practical challenges faced by businesses and individuals navigating the registration process. This development comes amid broader economic reforms aimed at enhancing service delivery, boosting efficiency, and adapting to Nigeria’s evolving economic landscape. As the nation grapples with inflationary pressures and operational costs, the CAC’s strategic adjustments signal a deliberate approach to balancing modernization with accessibility.
Background of the Fee Review
The CAC, Nigeria’s primary regulatory body for the incorporation and management of businesses, announced a comprehensive review of its service fees in June 2025. The revised fee structure, originally set to take effect on August 1, 2025, was designed to address rising operational costs, support the Commission’s digital transformation agenda, and ensure the sustainability of its services. The fee adjustments primarily affect post-incorporation services, such as voluntary strike-offs, relisting of companies, historical search reports, and certified true copies of documents, while the cost of registering new businesses or companies remains unchanged.
According to the CAC, the fee review was informed by “prevailing economic realities” and extensive consultations with critical stakeholders, including business owners, legal practitioners, and compliance professionals. The Commission described the adjustments as “modest and competitive,” emphasizing their alignment with its goal of enhancing service delivery through digitalized operations and maintaining the integrity of the Nigerian Corporate Registry. For instance, the cost of voluntarily striking off a public company will increase from ₦25,000 to ₦100,000, while historical search reports will rise from ₦20,000 to ₦30,000, reflecting significant adjustments in some areas.
However, the implementation of these fees has faced hurdles, primarily due to challenges with the CAC’s new Company Registration Portal. Launched on June 30, 2025, the CRP is part of the Commission’s broader digital transformation strategy, aimed at reducing turnaround times for business registration and improving access to corporate records. Despite its promise, the portal has encountered technical glitches, with users reporting difficulties in registering new companies or filing statutory documents. These issues prompted the CAC to postpone the initial August 1 deadline to September 1, and now to October 1, to allow for further stabilization of the platform.
Reasons for the Postponement
In its public notice, the CAC stated that the deferment was necessary to “prioritize the full stabilization of the new Company Registration Portal before mid-September.” The Commission acknowledged feedback from customers and stakeholders, who have expressed frustration over the portal’s performance. “Several Nigerians, who want to register new companies or file statutory documents, have been complaining of glitches on the CAC portal,” the notice read. By extending the implementation timeline, the CAC aims to optimize the platform’s performance, ensuring a smooth and efficient transition for users before the revised fees take effect.
The decision to delay the fee hike reflects the CAC’s commitment to customer-centric service delivery. “This decision reflects the Commission’s strong determination to ensure that the transition into the new regime of services is seamless, efficient, and beneficial to all,” the notice stated. The CAC emphasized that its priority is to build an intelligent, customer-focused registry that meets global standards, a goal that requires a fully functional digital infrastructure. The Commission expressed gratitude for the patience and cooperation of its customers during this “critical phase of transformation.”
The postponement also responds to broader stakeholder concerns about the timing of the fee adjustments. Nigeria’s business community, already grappling with economic challenges such as inflation and naira depreciation, has urged the CAC to ensure that the new fees do not exacerbate compliance costs. Business owners and legal advisors have been encouraged to engage corporate law experts and plan strategically to mitigate the impact of the fee increases, particularly for services like document certification and company relisting, which have seen hikes of up to 300% in some cases.
The Digital Transformation Agenda
The CAC’s focus on stabilizing the Company Registration Portal is part of a broader digital transformation agenda aimed at modernizing Nigeria’s corporate registry. The new portal, powered by artificial intelligence, is designed to streamline business registration, enhance transparency, and reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks. The Commission has cited the portal’s potential to improve service delivery and align Nigeria’s corporate registry with global best practices, such as those in Singapore and the United Kingdom, where digital platforms have significantly enhanced efficiency.
However, the transition to a fully digital platform has not been without challenges. The CAC’s previous attempts to digitize its operations have faced criticism for technical issues, including slow processing times and system downtimes. The current glitches on the CRP, reported by users across Nigeria, underscore the complexities of implementing large-scale digital reforms in a country with varying levels of technological infrastructure. The CAC’s decision to delay the fee implementation reflects a pragmatic approach to addressing these challenges, prioritizing user experience over immediate revenue gains.
The Commission’s digital transformation efforts are also aligned with Nigeria’s broader economic goals, as outlined by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). NITDA’s Director-General, Dr. Kashifu Inuwa, recently emphasized the role of artificial intelligence in transforming Nigeria’s economy, projecting a potential 20% increase in GDP through strategic deployment. The CAC’s AI-powered portal is a step toward this vision, aiming to empower businesses by simplifying compliance processes and enhancing access to corporate services.
Economic Context and Stakeholder Reactions
The postponement of the fee hike comes at a time when Nigerian businesses are navigating significant economic challenges. Inflation, which reached 32.15% in August 2025, has increased operational costs for businesses, while the naira’s volatility has strained profitability. The CAC’s fee adjustments, though described as modest, have raised concerns among small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which form the backbone of Nigeria’s economy. SMEs, particularly in sectors like retail and manufacturing, rely heavily on CAC services for registration, compliance, and documentation, and the proposed fee increases could add to their financial burdens.
Business owners have welcomed the CAC’s decision to delay the fee implementation, viewing it as a reprieve that allows them to prepare for the changes. Mr. Chukwudi Eze, a Lagos-based entrepreneur, stated, “The glitches on the CAC portal have been frustrating, especially for those of us trying to register new businesses. The postponement gives us hope that the system will be fixed before we have to pay higher fees.” Similarly, legal practitioners have urged the CAC to provide clearer timelines for the portal’s stabilization and to engage in more robust stakeholder consultations to address user concerns.
The CAC has responded to these concerns by emphasizing its commitment to transparency and stakeholder engagement. The Commission’s public notice highlighted its appreciation for the “patience, understanding, and cooperation” of its customers, signaling a willingness to collaborate with the business community to ensure a smooth transition. The CAC has also directed stakeholders to its official website, www.cac.gov.ng, for the full schedule of revised fees and additional resources.
Broader Implications for Nigeria’s Business Environment
The CAC’s fee postponement and focus on digital stabilization have significant implications for Nigeria’s business environment. The country ranks 131 out of 190 economies in the World Bank’s 2025 Doing Business Index, with challenges in starting a business and enforcing contracts cited as key barriers. The CAC’s efforts to modernize its operations aim to address these challenges, making Nigeria a more attractive destination for local and foreign investors. By streamlining business registration and improving access to corporate records, the Commission hopes to boost investor confidence and support economic growth.
However, the success of these efforts depends on the CAC’s ability to resolve the technical issues plaguing the CRP. Persistent glitches could undermine public trust in the Commission’s digital transformation agenda and exacerbate frustrations among businesses already burdened by economic pressures. The CAC’s decision to delay the fee implementation demonstrates a recognition of these risks and a commitment to prioritizing user experience.
Comparison with Other Government Agencies
The CAC’s fee adjustment and postponement come amid a wave of price reviews by other Nigerian government agencies. For instance, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) recently increased fees for National Identification Number (NIN) services, citing operational costs and the need to maintain service quality. Similarly, the Nigeria Immigration Service announced an upward review of passport application fees, effective September 1, 2025, with a 32-page, five-year passport now costing ₦100,000 and a 64-page, ten-year passport priced at ₦200,000 for applications within Nigeria. These adjustments reflect a broader trend of government agencies aligning fees with economic realities, but they have sparked debates about affordability and accessibility.
Unlike the NIMC and Immigration Service, which implemented their fee hikes as scheduled, the CAC’s decision to delay its fee increase sets it apart as a responsive agency. By prioritizing the stabilization of its digital infrastructure, the CAC is taking a cautious approach to ensure that businesses are not unduly burdened by technical challenges and higher costs simultaneously. This approach could serve as a model for other agencies navigating similar reforms.
Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities
As the CAC works toward stabilizing the Company Registration Portal by mid-September 2025, several challenges and opportunities lie ahead. The Commission must address the technical issues that have frustrated users, ensuring that the portal is user-friendly, reliable, and capable of handling the high volume of transactions typical of Nigeria’s vibrant business ecosystem. This will require significant investment in technological infrastructure, as well as ongoing engagement with stakeholders to identify and resolve pain points.
The postponement also presents an opportunity for the CAC to strengthen its communication with the public. By providing regular updates on the portal’s progress and the fee implementation timeline, the Commission can build trust and demonstrate its commitment to transparency. Additionally, the CAC could explore incentives, such as discounted fees for early adopters of the new portal or streamlined processes for SMEs, to ease the transition for businesses.
The broader economic context will also shape the CAC’s success. As Nigeria pursues its $1 trillion economy goal, as articulated by NITDA’s Dr. Kashifu Inuwa, efficient corporate registration and compliance systems are critical. The CAC’s digital transformation aligns with this vision, but its ability to deliver a reliable and accessible platform will determine its impact on Nigeria’s economic growth.
Conclusion
The Corporate Affairs Commission’s decision to postpone the implementation of its revised service fees to October 1, 2025, reflects a strategic and customer-centric approach to navigating Nigeria’s complex business environment. By prioritizing the stabilization of the Company Registration Portal, the CAC is addressing critical technical challenges while responding to stakeholder feedback. The move underscores the Commission’s commitment to building an intelligent, efficient, and globally competitive corporate registry, even as it grapples with the economic realities of rising operational costs.
As Nigeria’s business community awaits the full rollout of the new fees, the CAC’s efforts to balance modernization with accessibility will be closely watched. The success of the Company Registration Portal and the broader digital transformation agenda will play a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s business landscape, supporting SMEs, and attracting investment. For now, the CAC’s deferment offers a window of opportunity for businesses to prepare for the changes, while reinforcing the Commission’s dedication to service excellence and stakeholder collaboration.
