CAC Directs Revoked BDCs To Change Names Within 3 Months

The 4,173 Bureau De Change companies whose licenses were recently revoked by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have been asked by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to change their names within three months.

LEADERSHIP recalls the CBN revoked the operational licenses of the 4,173 BDC operators in March due to noncompliance with certain regulatory guidelines.

CAC, in a notice issued on Wednesday said the failure of the BDCs to change the names with which they were registered as companies would result in the cancellation of their certificate of incorporation and dissolution.

While urging shareholders and directors of the companies to take action, the CAC said details of the affected companies have also been published on its website for re-confirmation.

“Following the revocation of the operational licenses of 4,173 Bureau De Change companies by the Central Bank of Nigeria vide a Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette (Vol. 111) No. 37 of February 2024 for non-compliance with Regulatory Standards, the Corporate Affairs Commission in exercise of its powers under Section 8(1) (e) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020 advises these companies to within three months from the date of this publication, change names and objects.

“Failure to change the names and objects within the stipulated time frame shall result in cancellation of certificate of incorporation and dissolution. It is to be noted that it is unlawful for a company whose certificate has been deemed dissolved to carry on business,” the CAC said.

The apex bank had in March said the companies failed to comply with the required payment of all necessary fees, including license renewal within the stipulated period in line with the guidelines; rendition of returns in line with the guidelines; and compliance with guidelines, directives and circulars of the CBN, particularly Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) and Counter-Proliferation Financing (CPF) regulations.

CBN’s spokesperson, Sidi Hakama, said the bank acted in exercise of the powers conferred on it under the Bank and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020, Act No. 5, and the Revised Operational Guidelines for Bureaux De Change 2015 (the Guidelines).