CAC Status Reactivation: Steps, Cost & Documents (2026)
Is your business or company showing Inactive or Struck Off on the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) register?
CAC status reactivation refers to the process of addressing the compliance issues affecting an entity’s status and, where applicable, completing the required activation, restoration or relisting process. The CAC may refer to the applicable process as status activation, depending on the entity and circumstances.
The process is not exactly the same for every entity. An Inactive status is different from a Struck Off status, and the steps required will depend on the entity type and the condition of its CAC record.
What “Inactive” and “Struck Off” Actually Mean
The CAC provides a public search service for checking registration status and other information about registered entities.
The status shown on your record helps determine what action may be required.
| Status | General meaning |
|---|---|
| Active | The entity remains active on the CAC register. |
| Inactive | The entity has a compliance issue affecting its status, commonly involving outstanding annual returns. |
| Struck Off | The entity has been removed from the register following the applicable striking-off process. |
The distinction between Inactive and Struck Off is particularly important.
An inactive entity may need to address outstanding compliance obligations and complete the applicable activation process. A company that has been struck off is in a more serious position. The CAC states that companies struck off the register are deemed dissolved from the date of publication.
The Commission has also stated that it is unlawful for a struck-off company to carry on business unless its name is first restored to the register by an order of the Federal High Court.
Why Does CAC Status Become Inactive?
Outstanding annual returns are an important reason businesses and companies can develop CAC compliance problems.
For companies, the CAC requires annual returns to be filed with the Commission and warns that non-compliance can attract penalties and the risk of being struck off the register.
The Commission has also continued to take action against companies that have failed to keep their annual returns up to date. In its 2024 striking-off notice, for example, the CAC stated that companies that failed to update their annual returns were struck off pursuant to its powers under CAMA 2020.
This is why it is important to check your CAC status as soon as you become aware of outstanding compliance issues.
Why Reactivation Matters for Your Business
An inactive or struck-off CAC record can create complications when you need to demonstrate that your business or company is properly registered and compliant.
A current CAC record may be relevant when dealing with:
- Banks and financial institutions
- Government contracts and tenders
- Investors and business partners
- Regulatory applications
- Corporate due diligence
- Post-registration applications
The CAC’s company search service allows users to verify registration status and other company information.
For this reason, resolving an inactive or struck-off status is not simply about changing what appears on a search result. It can form part of maintaining your business’s wider regulatory and corporate compliance.
How to Check Your CAC Status
Before you start any reactivation process, confirm your current status. Follow these steps:
- Visit search.cac.gov.ng.
- Enter your company name or RC number.
- Review the result. It will show Active, Inactive, or Struck Off.
The status matters because the process for an Inactive entity can differ significantly from what is required for a Struck Off entity.
CAC Status Reactivation Steps for Inactive Companies
If your entity is showing Inactive, the first step is to determine what caused the status and which compliance obligations remain outstanding.
The exact process can vary depending on the entity type and its CAC record.
1. Confirm the current status
Start with a CAC status search rather than assuming that the record is inactive because of a particular filing issue.
2. Identify outstanding annual returns
Review the entity’s filing history and determine which annual returns or other compliance obligations remain outstanding.
For companies, annual returns are an ongoing statutory requirement.
3. Prepare the required information and documents
The information required will depend on the entity type and the filings involved.
It is important that the information being submitted corresponds with the entity’s existing CAC record.
4. Bring outstanding filings up to date
The applicable outstanding filings should be addressed through the appropriate CAC process.
Do not assume that filing only the most recent year will resolve a record with several years of outstanding obligations.
5. Address applicable CAC fees and penalties
Outstanding compliance may involve applicable CAC filing fees and penalties. The applicable amount depends on the entity and the specific obligations involved.
This is one reason it is difficult to give a single CAC status reactivation cost that applies to every business.
6. Complete the applicable activation process
Filing outstanding returns may not be the only step required in every case.
The CAC has a designated channel for company status activation requests and currently directs activation requests to activation@cac.gov.ng.
The appropriate process should therefore be confirmed based on the entity’s current status and circumstances.
7. Verify the status afterwards
Once the required process has been completed, check the CAC record again to confirm that the status has been updated.
Keep copies of relevant receipts, acknowledgements and correspondence for your records.update after a reasonable wait, these documents help support a direct enquiry to the CAC.
How to Reactivate a Struck-Off Company
A Struck Off status requires more careful attention than an ordinary inactive status.
The CAC states that companies struck off the register are deemed dissolved from the date of publication.
The Commission has also stated that it is unlawful for a struck-off company to carry on business unless its name is restored to the register by an order of the Federal High Court.
Therefore, a struck-off company should not be treated as though it simply needs one more annual return filed.
Depending on the circumstances, the restoration process may involve:
- Confirming the company’s struck-off status.
- Reviewing outstanding annual returns and compliance obligations.
- Addressing applicable filings, fees and penalties.
- Determining the appropriate restoration/reinstatement procedure.
- Obtaining a court order where required.
- Completing the relevant CAC restoration or relisting requirements.
- Confirming that the company has been restored to the register.
Because restoration can involve legal and regulatory considerations beyond routine annual-return filing, professional assistance may be appropriate for complicated struck-off cases.
If reinstatement isn’t possible, registering a new entity may be your fastest path forward. Our guide on business registration in Nigeria covers that process from scratch. It also explains how to choose the right business structure this time around.
CAC Status Reactivation Cost by Entity Type
There is no single CAC status reactivation cost that applies to every business or company.
The amount involved can depend on factors such as:
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Entity type | CAC requirements differ between business names, companies and other registered entities. |
| Outstanding filings | The number and type of outstanding obligations can affect the work required. |
| Penalties | Applicable penalties may arise from compliance defaults. |
| Current CAC status | An inactive record and a struck-off record may require different processes. |
| Restoration or relisting | Additional procedures may apply where an entity has been removed from the register. |
| Record complexity | Incomplete, outdated or inconsistent records may require additional attention. |
CAC fees and compliance requirements can change, so the cost of resolving a particular record should be determined after reviewing the entity’s current status and outstanding obligations.
Rather than relying on a generic figure found online, businesses should obtain an assessment based on their specific CAC record.
Need help determining what is required to reactivate your CAC status? Pukka Logistics can review your situation and guide you through the appropriate compliance process.
Documents Required for CAC Status Reactivation
Your document checklist depends on your entity type. Missing documents are the most common reason reactivation applications get delayed or rejected.
Business Names
- Business registration details
- Proprietor information
- Outstanding annual-return information
- Relevant CAC filing information
Companies
- Company registration details
- Director and shareholder information
- Relevant financial information
- Annual-return records
- Supporting corporate documents where applicable
Incorporated Trustees
- Trustee information
- Governing council details
- Relevant financial information
- Applicable post-registration records
This is a general guide rather than a universal document checklist. The exact requirements should be confirmed based on the entity and the specific CAC process involved.
Providing documents that do not match the entity’s current CAC records can result in queries or delays.
Common Mistakes That Delay Reactivation
A few avoidable errors slow down most CAC status reactivation applications:
- Filing only the most recent year. The CAC expects every outstanding year filed, not just the latest one.
- Uploading outdated or mismatched documents. Directors listed on your filing must match your current CAC records.
- Assuming filing alone changes your status. Some cases need a separate confirmation step, as noted earlier.
- Ignoring struck-off status until it’s urgent. Waiting increases the risk of your business name being reassigned.
- Skipping the public search check. Always confirm your status before and after filing, so you know the reactivation actually worked.
Avoiding these mistakes speeds up approval and reduces the chance of a rejected application.
How Long Does CAC Status Reactivation Take?
For Inactive companies, reactivation is usually fast. Once you file every outstanding return correctly, approval can take just a few days.
Struck-off companies take longer. The SPU must review your case, and a court order may be required in some situations. Restoration can therefore take several weeks. Complex cases, particularly those involving a reassigned business name, take even longer to resolve.
Does a Dormant Company Still Need to File?
Yes. A common misconception is that a dormant or non-trading business is exempt from annual returns. It isn’t. CAC compliance depends on registration status, not trading activity. A dormant company that skips filing will still turn Inactive. It eventually risks being struck off, just like an operating business would.
If you plan to keep a company dormant long-term, filing minimal but accurate annual returns each year is still the safer route. It keeps your CAC status reactivation risk at zero and protects your legal claim to the business name.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a struck-off company be reactivated?
A struck-off company may be capable of restoration, but it is not treated the same way as an inactive entity. The CAC states that a struck-off company is deemed dissolved and that it is unlawful to carry on business unless the company is restored to the register by an order of the Federal High Court.
How do I know if my CAC status is inactive?
You can check your registration status through the CAC’s official company search service.
Does filing annual returns automatically reactivate my CAC status?
Not necessarily. Filing outstanding returns may be an important part of resolving the compliance issue, but the applicable activation process depends on the entity’s circumstances. The CAC maintains a designated channel for company status activation requests.
How much does CAC status reactivation cost?
There is no universal cost. The amount involved depends on factors such as the entity type, outstanding obligations, applicable penalties and whether additional restoration or relisting procedures are required.
For an accurate assessment, it is better to review the specific CAC record rather than rely on a general figure.
What happens if I ignore an inactive CAC status?
Leaving outstanding compliance issues unresolved can result in continuing penalties and, in applicable cases, the risk of being struck off. The CAC has continued to publish notices concerning companies that have failed to keep their annual returns up to date.
What happens if I ignore an inactive CAC status?
Leaving outstanding compliance issues unresolved can result in continuing penalties and, in applicable cases, the risk of being struck off. The CAC has continued to publish notices concerning companies that have failed to keep their annual returns up to date.
Final Thoughts
CAC status reactivation is not simply about changing a status on a public search page. It involves identifying the compliance issue affecting the entity, addressing the applicable outstanding obligations and completing the appropriate CAC process.
If your record is Inactive, the first step is to establish what is outstanding and what activation process applies. If the entity has already been Struck Off, the situation can be more complex and may involve restoration procedures.
Because every CAC record is different, avoid relying on generic instructions or assuming that the same process applies to every business.
Pukka can help you assess your CAC status, identify the requirements applicable to your entity and handle the appropriate status activation or reactivation process.
For enquiries on reactivating your CAC status, contact: PUKKA Solicitors – +2348058344034 – info@pukkalogistics.com.ng.