Introduction

You’ve registered your business with CAC. You have the certificate in hand. So why is your bank officer or the FIRS portal rejecting your documents?

Here’s the answer: You’re missing the CAC Status Report.

In 2025, this often-overlooked document will become mandatory for verifying business legitimacy across Nigeria’s financial and tax systems. It’s no longer just about your registration certificate; the Status Report is the new gold standard.

1. What Is the CAC Status Report?

The CAC Status Report is a downloadable file issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission. It provides a real-time snapshot of your business registration and legal standing.

It includes:

• Business name (or company name)

• Registration number (RC/BN)

• Business type (BN, LTD, NGO, etc.)

• Date of registration

• Business address

• Director or proprietor names

• Shareholding structure (for LTD companies)

• Status: Active, Inactive, Under Review

Think of it as the “live record” of your business, not a static certificate.

2. Why Was It Introduced?

As Nigeria shifts toward digital compliance and cross-platform verification, the CAC Status Report offers:

• Up-to-date business records

• Clarity on company status (especially during audits)

• Standardized verification for banks and FIRS

• Reduced fraud in tax and grant applications

The CAC realized that certificates alone were outdated and easily forged. The Status Report, however, is time-stamped, auto-updated, and digitally issued, making it harder to manipulate.

3. How It Differs from the CAC Certificate

In summary, your certificate starts the journey, but the Status Report validates it today.

4. Why Banks Now Demand It

Since late 2024, Nigerian banks have been integrated with the Corporate Registration Verification Portal (CRVP). When you apply to open or update a corporate account, the bank checks:

• CAC number match

• Director identity (via BVN)

• Business status (Active/Inactive)

If your business shows as “Inactive” or “Unverified,” the bank will pause or deny your account setup, even if you present your CAC certificate.

The Status Report confirms everything in one go.

5. Why FIRS Now Demands It

FIRS now requires the CAC Status Report when:

• Registering a new TIN

• Updating your tax profile

• Applying for Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC)

• Filing returns under a corporate structure

The FIRS TIN portal auto-checks your business details via the CAC API. If it can’t verify them or gets inconsistent data, it will reject the registration.

With the Status Report, the process becomes faster and more reliable.

6. How to Download Your CAC Status Report (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Visit the CAC Company Registration Portal

Go to https://cac.gov.ng

Step 2: Log in with Your Details

Use the email and password you used during registration.

Step 3: Select “Public Search” or “My Business”

If you’re logged in, go to “My Companies.”

If not logged in, use the public search by RC/BN number.

Step 4: Click on the Business Name

You’ll see an option like “Download Status Report.”

Step 5: Save the PDF

Download the report and keep it with your official documents.

Note: You may be charged ₦500–₦1,000 depending on CAC policies.

7. Common Issues with CAC Status Reports

Mismatch in Director Names

The name on your bank BVN or ID must match your CAC Status Report.

“Inactive” Status

If your business was dormant or unpaid for years, it may be flagged. You must file annual returns to activate it again.

Multiple Registrations

Some founders have multiple CACs but no linkage. Consolidate or select the active one to avoid duplication issues.

8. Real Case: How the Status Report Saved a Deal

Ademola, a web developer, won a ₦2.5 million contract from a fintech startup. During onboarding, the finance team asked for his CAC Status Report.

He only had the certificate.

The onboarding was paused for 10 days until he used All-In-One Nigeria’s CAC retrieval service, downloaded his Status Report, and resubmitted.

Within 24 hours, his account was set up, and the funds were released.

9. When You Should Always Use a CAC Status Report

Use your CAC Status Report whenever you:

• Open a business account.

• Register on the FIRS TIN portal.

• Apply for grants or loans.

• Join a vendor platform.

• Submit tax returns

• Apply for a business permit or export license.

• Register for BOI, SMEDAN, or NIRSAL programs.

Whenever legitimacy matters.

10. Let Experts Handle It For You

If you’re unsure how to retrieve or interpret your CAC Status Report, consider using:

• All-In-One Nigeria – Fast document retrieval and linkage

• RegCymru or Sidebrief – For compliance management and filing support

• Business lawyers or CAC agents – For deeper filing issues

This helps you avoid delays, rejections, or lost deals.

Conclusion

In 2025, a CAC certificate is only your starting point. To stay visible and verifiable in Nigeria’s digitized business environment, you must have a CAC Status Report, ready, accurate, and up-to-date.

It’s what banks, FIRS, and serious clients use to know if your business is real.

Don’t lose opportunities over a missing PDF.

Need help retrieving your CAC Status Report or linking your business?

Visit: www.allinonenigeria.com

Email: projects@allinonenigeria.com