CAC Change of Company Objects Fees: Your Complete Guide to Costs & Process in 2026

Welcome to BusinessPortal! We know how confusing business registration and changes can be here in Nigeria. Today, we’re talking about something very important for many company owners: CAC Change of Company Objects Fees. This guide will make everything clear for you, no long stories.

Key Takeaways

• Changing your company’s business activities with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) involves specific fees.
• Fees depend mainly on your company’s share capital and the type of change you want to make.
• You need to pay for filing the special resolution and sometimes other related forms.
• Always confirm the latest CAC fee schedule directly on their portal or with a professional.
• Getting the process right from the start saves you both time and extra costs.
• BusinessPortal helps you understand these charges so you can plan well.

What Are Company Objects and Why Change Them?

You see, when you register a company in Nigeria with the CAC, you have to tell them what your company will be doing. These are what we call your “company objects” or “business objects”. They describe the main activities your company is set up to carry out. For example, if you registered a company to sell clothes, “selling clothes” is one of your objects.

Now, why would someone want to change this? Simple! Business changes all the time. Maybe your company started by selling clothes, but now you want to add catering services. Or maybe you want to stop selling clothes completely and focus only on event management. If you want your company to do something new that wasn’t part of its original plan, you must update your company objects with the CAC. It’s very important to do this because operating outside your registered objects can cause problems down the line. In my experience, I’ve seen companies get into trouble when they start doing businesses not listed in their initial registration documents. It’s just best to follow the law and update your records.

Understanding the CAC’s Role in Company Changes

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) is the body in Nigeria that registers companies and regulates them. They are the ones who keep all the records of every registered company. So, when you want to change anything significant about your company, like its name, address, or, in this case, its business activities (objects), you must go through the CAC. They have a process for everything, and part of that process usually involves paying some money, which we call fees. These fees are for processing your application and updating their records. It’s how they keep the system running.

Related Post Incorporation: CAC Company Name Change After Registration: Your Step-by-Step Guide for a Smooth Transition in 2026

The Different Types of Company Objects Changes

When we talk about changing company objects, it’s not always one straight thing. There are a few ways it can happen:

• Adding New Objects: This is when you want your company to do something extra that it wasn’t doing before. For instance, if your company was just into cleaning services, and now you want to also start selling cleaning products.
• Removing Existing Objects: Sometimes, a business decides to stop a particular activity. You might want to remove those activities from your registered objects to keep your company’s profile concise and focused.
• Amending Existing Objects: You might want to rephrase or modify an existing object to be clearer or more specific. For example, changing “general trading” to “trading in agricultural products.”

For each of these, the fundamental process and the fees usually remain similar because you are still amending your company’s core purpose as registered with the CAC. It’s all about updating what your company is officially allowed to do.

Breaking Down CAC Change of Company Objects Fees

Now, let’s get to the main point – the money you need to pay. The fees for changing your company objects are usually tied to your company’s share capital. This is a critical point. The higher your share capital, the higher some of these fees tend to be. This is a common practice with the CAC for many types of filings.

Related Post Incorporation: CAC Company Name Change for Growing Businesses: A Step-by-Step Guide to Updating Your Brand Identity Successfully

Generally, the fees you’ll encounter for a change of objects include:

1. Filing Fee for Special Resolution: To change your company objects, your company must pass a “special resolution.” This is a formal decision made by your shareholders. You then need to file this resolution with the CAC, and they charge a fee for it.
2. Filing Fee for Form CAC 2 (Statement of Share Capital and Return of Allotment): Sometimes, especially if the change of objects is accompanied by an increase in share capital (which might happen if you’re expanding significantly), you might need to file a new CAC 2. However, for a simple change of objects without changing share capital, this might not be directly applicable for the objects change itself, but it’s good to be aware of.
3. Consent Fees (if applicable): In some rare or complex cases, or if you’re dealing with sensitive sectors, you might need specific governmental consent before the CAC can approve your new objects. These are external fees, not directly CAC fees, but they can impact your overall cost.
4. Accredited Professional Fees: This is not a CAC fee, but it’s a very real cost. Many people choose to use a lawyer, a company secretary, or an accredited agent to help them with the process. These professionals charge for their services because they know the process well and help you avoid mistakes. Based on what I’ve seen, using a professional can save you a lot of headaches and potential rejections from the CAC.

Let’s look at a table to give you a clearer idea of typical CAC fees related to filing resolutions. Please note that these figures are illustrative and can change. Always check the official CAC website for the most current fees for 2026.

The “Filing Fee for Increase in Share Capital” column is there to show you that if your object change comes with a capital increase, that’s an additional fee to consider. For just changing objects without touching share capital, you mostly focus on the Special Resolution filing fee.

Related Post Incorporation: How to Transfer Shares on CAC: A Practical Guide for Nigerian Businesses

You can find more detailed information directly on the official Corporate Affairs Commission website regarding their fee structure. Check this link: Corporate Affairs Commission Official Website

The Step-by-Step Process for Changing Company Objects

Knowing the fees is one thing, knowing the process is another. Let me guide you through the typical steps. From my own experience assisting clients on BusinessPortal and dealing with the CAC, this is what you generally do:

1. Board Meeting & Special Resolution: First, your company’s board of directors will meet and propose the changes to the company objects. After that, the shareholders will hold an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) and pass a Special Resolution. This resolution must be signed by the chairman of the meeting. This is a very important legal document.
2. Preparation of Relevant Documents: You will need to prepare a formal application letter to the CAC, the minutes of the EGM where the special resolution was passed, and sometimes an updated Memorandum and Articles of Association (MEMART) if the changes are extensive.
3. Payment of CAC Filing Fees: This is where our discussion about fees becomes practical. You will need to generate the Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) code on the CAC portal for the filing of the special resolution and pay the required fees.
4. Upload Documents to CAC Portal: All the prepared documents, along with the proof of payment, will be uploaded to the CAC’s online portal.
5. CAC Review and Approval: The CAC will review your application. If everything is correct and compliant, they will approve the change. If there are issues, they will raise an observation, and you’ll have to correct it and resubmit. This is why having accurate documents from the start is key.
6. Issuance of Amended Documents: Once approved, the CAC will issue an updated MEMART or a certificate of amendment reflecting the new company objects.

Each step needs careful attention. Missing any detail can lead to delays and sometimes even more costs if you have to pay for re-filing or professional help again.

Factors That Can Influence the Total Cost

While the direct CAC fees are relatively straightforward, other things can make your total cost higher or lower:

• Complexity of the Change: If you are making very extensive changes, adding many new objects, or moving into highly regulated industries, the process might be more complex, potentially requiring more legal work.
• Use of Professional Services: As I mentioned before, if you hire a lawyer, company secretary, or accredited agent, their fees will add to the overall cost. However, many people find this worthwhile because these professionals help you avoid errors and save time.
• Expedited Services (if available): Sometimes, if you need the change done very quickly, there might be options for expedited processing, which often comes with an additional charge. However, the CAC does not always officially offer this for all services.
• Rejection and Re-filing: If your application is rejected due to errors, you might incur additional costs for re-filing or for the professional correcting the errors. This is why it’s always better to get it right the first time.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Changing Company Objects

From what I’ve observed, people often make some common mistakes when trying to change their company objects. Knowing these can save you a lot of stress and money:

1. Not Passing a Proper Special Resolution: This is a big one. The CAC needs a legally valid resolution. If it’s not done correctly (e.g., not enough shareholder votes, improper notice), your application will be rejected.
2. Incorrectly Stating New Objects: Be clear and precise about the new activities. Don’t use vague language. The CAC wants to know exactly what your company will be doing.
3. Not Paying the Correct Fees: Paying less than required or making a mistake with the RRR code can delay the process. Always confirm the exact amount on the CAC portal.
4. Missing Supporting Documents: Ensure all necessary documents like the updated MEMART, minutes of meetings, and identification documents are attached and properly signed.
5. Waiting Too Long to Update: Operating outside your registered objects can have legal implications. It’s best to update your records as soon as your business direction changes.
6. Not Using the Online Portal Correctly: The CAC process is largely online now. If you’re not familiar with their portal, it’s easy to make mistakes in uploading or filling forms.

To avoid these, it’s always a good idea to either carefully study the CAC guidelines or get help from someone who understands the process well. Trust me, it pays off.

The Importance of Compliance and Accuracy

Making sure your company objects are up to date and accurately reflect your business activities is not just about avoiding penalties. It’s also about maintaining your company’s good standing. When you need to bid for contracts, apply for loans, or even open a corporate bank account, your business objects are usually checked. If there’s a mismatch between what you say you do and what the CAC records show, it can create issues. So, seeing this process as a necessary compliance step that safeguards your business future is very important.

For more general information on company law and corporate governance in Nigeria, you can check out resources like this one: Wikipedia – Company Law. It gives a broad overview of the legal framework governing companies.

Frequently Asked Questions About CAC Change of Company Objects Fees

What exactly are “company objects” in Nigeria?

Company objects are the main business activities or purposes for which your company was established and registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). They describe what your company is officially allowed to do.

Why would my company need to change its objects?

Companies usually change their objects when they want to start new business activities, stop old ones, or refine the description of their existing operations. It ensures your company’s official records match its actual business operations.

What is the primary fee for changing company objects with CAC?

The primary fee you pay directly to the CAC is for filing the Special Resolution that approves the change of objects. This fee often depends on your company’s registered share capital.

Do CAC fees for changing objects vary based on share capital?

Yes, generally, the filing fees for resolutions with the CAC are tied to the company’s nominal or share capital. Companies with higher share capital usually pay slightly higher fees.

Can I change my company objects online?

Yes, the entire process for changing company objects, including filing resolutions and paying fees, is now primarily done online through the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) portal.

What documents do I need to prepare for a change of objects?

You typically need the minutes of the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) where the special resolution was passed, the special resolution itself, an application letter to the CAC, and sometimes an updated Memorandum and Articles of Association (MEMART).

How long does it take for CAC to process a change of objects?

Processing times can vary, but if all documents are correctly submitted and fees paid, it can take a few days to a few weeks. Delays often happen if there are errors in the application requiring observations from the CAC.

What happens if I operate outside my registered company objects?

Operating outside your registered objects can lead to legal complications, difficulties in securing contracts, opening bank accounts, or even attracting regulatory scrutiny. It’s crucial for compliance.

Are there any other costs besides CAC filing fees?

Yes, besides the direct CAC fees, you might incur costs for professional services (e.g., lawyers, company secretaries) if you hire them to assist with the process. There could also be costs for notarization or consent fees in specific, complex cases.

Where can I find the most up-to-date CAC fees for 2026?

The most current and official fee schedule for all CAC services, including changes to company objects, can always be found on the official Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) website or their online portal.

Written by Aisha Bello

Aisha Bello is a certified industry expert with years of hands-on experience helping businesses scale, optimize, and succeed. Our content is rigorously researched and fact-checked to ensure the highest standards of accuracy and trustworthiness.