By Rukiayatu Musah
The Office of Registrar of Companies (ORC), has extended filing of annual returns and update of Certificate of Membership of Professional Bodies to 30th December, 2024. In a statement, the ORC said that as at the end of 31st July, 2024, only 40 professional bodies are in good standing and 11 newly registered entities.
It urged all professional bodies in default to take the necessary steps to file their returns and update their membership before the deadline. This is in accordance with Section 16 of the Professional Bodies Registration Act, 1973.
The Registrar of Companies in May 2024 directed all professional bodies in default to file their annual returns and update their Certificate of Membership by 30th June, 2024. However, validation of the Register at the end of the deadline shows that most of the professional bodies are still not in good standing and have not also renewed the Certificate of their Membership thereby putting such bodies at risk of having their names struck off the Register in accordance with regulation.
Currently, only 40 professionals are in good standing, while 43 professionals are not. 11 professional bodies are newly registered, and 73 professional bodies have no contact numbers for the update.
4 professional bodies have however requested to be taken off the register for having gained Chartered status by an Act of Parliament. The ORC has further extended the deadline to 30th December, 2024, urging the professional bodies to take advantage. It said filing should be accompanied by a copy of the audited accounts of the body, updated list of its members, and any changes made to its constitution.
Also, “chartered” professional bodies must attach copies of the charter granted to those bodies by the Parliament when filing their annual returns and updating the certificates of their members. It encouraged those bodies who do not have the Charter granted by Parliament to take steps to have it done or change their names.
The ORC said it will enforce its core mandate and values to ensure credible business and professional atmosphere for all stakeholders through regular collaborative engagements to build accurate data for economic planning and development.
