Incorporating your business is only the first step. To keep your company legal, protected, and “deal-ready,” you must navigate a complex web of ongoing regulatory obligations.
In Nigeria, failing to meet these requirements doesn’t just result in fines, it can lead to your business being delisted or losing its legal protections.
At Norebase, we act as your dedicated compliance partner, ensuring you never miss a deadline while you focus on scaling your operations.
Why Compliance is Your Competitive Advantage
In a globalized economy, compliance is a cornerstone of financial integrity. Maintaining “Good Standing” is essential for several reasons:
- Secure Funding: Investors and venture capitalists require a Certificate of Good Standing during due diligence.
- Keep Your Bank Account Active: Banks perform regular compliance checks; if your status with the CAC is “Inactive,” your corporate accounts could be restricted.
- Avoid Dissolution: The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) can “administratively dissolve” companies that fail to file returns, stripping away your limited liability.
- Legal Protection: Proper compliance ensures your corporate veil remains intact, protecting directors and shareholders from personal liability.
Core Compliance Services in Nigeria
Norebase simplifies this by managing the following key areas:
1. CAC Annual Returns Filing
Every company registered in Nigeria is required to file annual returns with the CAC to confirm it is still operational. This is not a tax on profits but a mandatory administrative update.
- Timeline: Due every year (except the first year of incorporation).
- Penalty: Late filing attracts daily fines and an “Inactive” status on the public portal.
2. Persons with Significant Control (PSC) Filings
Under the updated CAMA 2020 framework, any individual holding 5% or more of shares or voting rights must be disclosed to the CAC.
- Mandatory: This is a high-priority requirement for 2026 to ensure transparency and prevent money laundering.
3. Company Secretarial Services
A Company Secretary is more than an administrative role; they are the guardians of your corporate governance. Norebase provides expert secretarial support, including:
- Managing board meetings and minutes.
- Maintaining statutory registers.
- Filing changes to directors, shareholders, or business addresses.
4. Sector-Specific License Renewals
If your business operates in fintech, oil and gas, or telecommunications, you likely have specialized licenses (e.g., CBN, NCC, or NUPRC) that require periodic renewal to avoid operational shutdowns.\
The Norebase Compliance Process
We’ve removed the friction from traditional legal services. Our approach is high-touch, rapid, and fully remote.
- Status Audit: We verify your entity’s current standing with the CAC to identify any missed filings or hidden penalties.
- Expert Filing: Reach out to support@norebase.com. Our compliance specialists handle the paperwork, ensuring data matches state records verbatim to prevent rejections.
- Ongoing Management: We track your recurring obligations—from annual returns to nominee director renewals—so you stay ahead of every deadline.
Compliance Snapshot
| Requirement | Frequency | Impact of Non-Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Returns | Yearly | “Inactive” status, fines, or dissolution |
| PSC Disclosure | Ongoing (if >5% change) | Statutory penalties and AML flags |
| License Renewals | Periodic (per sector) | Operational shutdown or license revocation |
| Director Changes | Within 14 days of change | Regulatory mismatch and legal invalidity |
Never Miss a Deadline Again
Don’t let a missed state fee or a forgotten report be the reason your next big deal falls through. Whether you are a newly registered startup or a scaling fintech, our experts are ready to protect your business.
Stop the clock on compliance stress.
Email support@norebase.com today for a personalized quote on our compliance management services.
Visit norebase.com to learn how we help businesses stay deal-ready across Africa.