CAC mandates all POS operators in Nigeria to register by January 1, 2026, or face shutdown, seizure, and enforcement actions nationwide.
The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has announced an impending nationwide enforcement exercise targeting Point of Sale (POS) operators who fail to comply with mandatory business registration requirements. The directive, which takes effect from January 1, 2026, is aimed at curbing unlicensed operations within Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital financial services sector.
In a public notice issued on Friday and signed by the Commission’s management, the CAC stated that all POS operators must obtain proper registration or risk an immediate shutdown of their business premises. Security agencies across the country have also been mandated to enforce the order.
According to the statement, the commission has recorded a significant increase in the number of POS businesses operating without registration, a development it described as a clear violation of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020 and existing Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Agent Banking Regulations.
The CAC noted that the proliferation of unregistered POS operators, often supported by some fintech companies, poses a threat to Nigeria’s financial ecosystem and leaves citizens vulnerable to fraud and financial losses. The commission labelled the trend “reckless” and called for immediate reform within the industry.
The notice outlined strict measures that will take effect from January 1, 2026, stating that no POS business will be allowed to function without proof of CAC registration. Security operatives will move to enforce compliance, seize unregistered POS machines, and shut down defaulting business locations.
Additionally, fintech firms found to be enabling unlicensed POS operations will be placed under surveillance and reported to the CBN for possible sanctions.
“All operators are advised to regularize immediately. Compliance is mandatory,” the notice concluded.
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The announcement underscores the Federal Government’s broader efforts to enhance transparency, protect consumers, and sanitize the financial services environment in Nigeria. With a rapidly growing cashless economy and millions dependent on POS services daily, stakeholders say the policy may reshape industry practices and stimulate further regulation in the years ahead.