The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) is the agency responsible for managing private and public business registration in Nigeria.
Business name registration in Nigeria with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) is necessary for businesses in Nigeria. It is the official license required for the operation of your business. Foreign companies in Nigeria must also register their company with the CAC.
Registration of your business name with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) is not compulsory for small businesses. But you need the certificate if you are running a public company or a small enterprise with a prospective growth prospect.
It is advisable to register your business with CAC as soon as possible to avoid the challenges of having to change the name of your business.
You can register your business online on the CAC registration portal. There is no need to pay an agent to assist you with the enrollment. The enrollment process is available at the CAC office in your State.
Company Limited by Guarantee (LTD/GTE), Public Liability Companies (PLC), and Incorporated Trustees need a legal practitioner for the company registration with CAC.
The duration to get your business name registration certificate from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) is one (1) week.
This post is an easy step-by-step guide to registering your small business name in Nigeria with CAC online. I have also included relevant information on the requirements and fees for business registration.
Let me know if you have any questions or need further clarification. I would love to hear from you in the comment box.
Table of contents
Types of Business Name Registration in Nigeria
The following are the type of businesses/companies you can register in Nigeria with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC);
- Private Limited Company (LTD)
- Public Limited Company (PLC)
- Companies Limited by Guarantee
- Unlimited Companies
Requirements for Business Name Registration
Here are the requirements to register your business name with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC);
- National Identification Number (NIN)
- Business Name Availability
- Registration Fee
- CAC Application Form
- Passport Photograph
- Business Documents
- Birth Certificate
- Driver’s License
- International Passport
- Permanent Voters’ Card
CAC Services
The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) provides registration services for the following categories;
- Business Name
- Company
- Limited Liability Partnership
- Incorporated Trustees
- Limited Partnership
CAC Fees for Company Business Name Registration
Here is the list of CAC fees for companies and business name registration in Nigeria;
Name Reservation Fee
| Type of Company | Amount |
|---|---|
| Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) | ₦500 |
| Limited Partnership (LP) | ₦500 |
| Business Name | ₦500 |
| Incorporated Trustees | ₦5,000 |
Business Name Registration Fee in Nigeria
| Type of Company | Amount |
|---|---|
| Private Business Name Registration | ₦10,000 |
| Incorporation of Company Limited | ₦20,000 |
| Incorporation of Private/Public Company Limited (Issued share capital of ₦ 1 million or less) | ₦10,000 |
| Incorporation of Private/Public Company Limited (Issued share capital above ₦ 1 million and up to ₦500million) | ₦5,000 for every ₦ 1 million share capital |
| Incorporation of Private/Public Company Limited (Issued share above ₦500million) | ₦7,500 for every ₦ 1 million share capital |
How to Register a Business Name in Nigeria Online With CAC
Here are the procedures to register a business name in Nigeria online with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC);
A tutorial on registering a business name in Nigeria online with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
- Open your internet browser
Launch your Google Chrome or Safari browser
- Visit the CAC Pre-Incroporation Portal
Go to https://pre.cac.gov.ng/home on your internet browser
- Search for the availability of your business name for registration
Click on the Search Now icon to find out if your business name is available for registration
- Reserve your business name
Submit your preferred business name
- Click on sign up to create an account with the CAC
Select create account
- Pay a business name reservation fee of ₦500
- Register your company with your business name availability code
Click on the Pre-incorporation button
- Sign in to your CAC account
- Fill out the CAC business registration form
- Pay ₦10,000 for your business registration
- Submit original copies of your personal and business documents
- Click on submit
Let me know if you have any questions or need further clarification. I would love to assist you.
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Pls how do I get my business name availability code? I have already paid N500 through remita for name reservation, thank you.
Hello Daniel,
Have you completed filling out the registration form online?
How do I register my business and make it verified
Hello Uchenna,
You have to register with CAC and the steps to do that using your phone are described in this post.
PLS IAM LIVING IN FCT-ABUJA, HOW DO I REGISTER AND GET THE ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE
Dear A.T.M
You can register by following the instructions on the post and you’ll be told where to get the certificate.
You can as well reach out to me if you need anymore guide. The process is easy though but trust me, you need someone who has been there to guide you through.
Can u helpmme with my business registration pls?