Unregistered POS Terminals to Be Seized Starting January 2026, Fintechs Under Surveillance – CAC
The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has issued a directive stating that all unregistered Point-of-Sale (PoS) operators in Nigeria will face shutdown starting January 1, 2026. The commission also revealed that fintech firms facilitating illegal transactions will be closely monitored and added to a watchlist.
In a statement released on December 6, 2025, the CAC condemned the increasing presence of unregistered PoS terminals, calling it a “reckless practice” that breaches the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020 and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) agent banking regulations.
The CAC emphasized that all PoS operators must complete the registration process immediately, with non-compliance resulting in severe penalties. According to the statement:
- Security forces will seize or shut down unregistered PoS terminals nationwide.
- Fintech companies found to be enabling illegal operations will be reported to the CBN and placed on the watchlist.
The commission further warned that the surge of unregistered PoS operators, many of which are supported by fintech platforms, threatens the stability of Nigeria’s financial system and the safety of citizens’ funds.
The full statement read: “The rising number of PoS operators who are not registered violates CAMA 2020 and CBN regulations, and poses significant risks to Nigeria’s financial system and the public. This must stop.”
Starting from January 1, 2026:
- Only registered PoS operators will be allowed to operate.
- Security agencies will be tasked with ensuring nationwide compliance.
- Unregistered terminals will be seized or shut down.
- Fintech firms enabling illicit activities will be placed on the CBN watchlist.
The CAC reiterated that compliance is mandatory for all operators and must be completed without delay.
By Linda Ikeji | December 6, 2025
