The Corporate Affairs Commission has flagged three cooperative societies in Nigeria for presenting fake certificates of incorporation bearing registration numbers not issued by the Commission.

In a public disclaimer dated July 14, 2025, and signed by its management, the CAC warned Nigerians against conducting any business with the affected entities.

The Commission revealed that each of the cooperatives was found using two different RC numbers—none of which exist in its official database.

“The General Public is hereby informed that the Certificates of incorporation being paraded by the Companies listed below were not issued by the Commission.

“They all have two different RC Numbers that were not issued by the CAC,” the notice read.

The companies listed in the disclaimer are: SPEF Cooperative Society Ltd – RC Numbers: 1265884 and 512862; UPIL Staff Cooperative Society Ltd – RC Numbers: 1265837 and 553220; PREM Staff Cooperative Society Ltd – RC Numbers: 1265844 and 545901.

The Commission further cautioned that anyone who transacts with the listed entities does so at their own risk.

“Anyone that transacts any business with the above-mentioned companies does so at their own risk,” it added.

The CAC also reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the integrity of company registrations in Nigeria and advised the public to verify company information through its official portal.

In response to complaints of unequal treatment among applicants, the Commission pledged to sanction any of its officers found breaching application guidelines and procedures.

To eliminate potential bias and reduce human discretion, the CAC has announced plans to integrate artificial intelligence into its Companies Registration Portal.

The initiative will automate key stages of the registration process—including application intake, document review, and timestamping—to promote transparency, enhance fairness, and minimize human interference.