In 2026, checking the status of a company is a free, instant process through the CAC Public Search portal. This is the primary way to verify if a business is legitimate and if it is currently in good standing with the government.
1. How to Check (Step-by-Step)
- Go to the official CAC Public Search Portal.
- In the search bar, type the Full Name of the company or its Registration Number (RC for companies, BN for business names, or IT for NGOs).
- Click the Search button.
- The system will display:
- The Name & RC/BN Number
- The Registered Address
- Date of Registration
- Status: This will clearly show as either ACTIVE or INACTIVE.
2. What the "Status" Means in 2026
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ACTIVE | The company is compliant. It has filed its Annual Returns up to date and is recognized as a "going concern." |
| INACTIVE | The company exists but is non-compliant. It has failed to file its Annual Returns for one or more years. |
| UNDER REGISTRATION | The name has been reserved or the application is still being processed by the CAC. |
| DISSOLVED / STRUCK OFF | The company has been officially deleted from the register (usually after 10 years of being "Inactive"). |
3. Why "Inactive" Status is Dangerous
If your search reveals that your own company (or one you want to do business with) is Inactive, there are immediate consequences in 2026:
- Bank Restrictions: Banks are now integrated with the CAC database. If your status is "Inactive," they are required to restrict your corporate account until you reactivate it.
- Contract Rejection: You cannot bid for government contracts or large corporate tenders with an inactive status.
- Visa Denials: Many foreign embassies in Nigeria now check the CAC portal. An "Inactive" business is often seen as "dormant" or "fake," leading to business visa rejections.
- Director Liability: Under the 2025 reforms, the CAC can now impose fines directly on the directors of inactive companies, not just the company itself.
4. How to Reactivate an Inactive Company
To change your status from "Inactive" to "Active," you must:
- File Outstanding Returns: Log in to TaxPro Max or the i-CRP portal and file for all the years you missed.
- Pay Penalties: You will pay the standard filing fee plus a late filing penalty for each year (approx. ₦5,000 to ₦10,000 depending on entity type).
Automatic Update: Once the CAC approves the filings, the portal usually updates to "Active" within 24 to 48 hours.