Business finance
How to register a business name with CAC in Nigeria: a step-by-step guide
· 5 min read
Many good businesses in Nigeria run for years without being registered. It works — until a bank asks for your certificate before opening a business account, a large customer wants an invoice from a registered company, or a grant programme asks for your CAC number. Registration is often the first step towards loans, contracts and growth.
The process is now handled online through the Corporate Affairs Commission's (CAC) portal. This guide walks through it step by step. It is practical guidance, not legal advice — if your situation is unusual, speak to a lawyer or accredited agent.
Business name or limited company?
Before you start, decide which kind of registration fits your business.
| Business name | Limited liability company | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it suits | Sole traders, small partnerships, early-stage businesses | Businesses with investors, several owners, or larger contracts |
| Legal identity | Not separate from the owner(s) | A separate legal entity |
| If the business owes money | The owner is personally responsible | Owners' liability is limited to their shares |
| Paperwork | Simpler and cheaper | More documents and higher fees |
Most traders and small service businesses start with a business name, and register a company later when the business grows. The rest of this guide covers business names.
What you need before you start
Have these ready to save time:
- Two proposed names, in order of preference.
- The nature of your business — a short description of what you do.
- Your business address and an email address you check.
- The date your business started (or will start).
- Details of each proprietor — the owner, or each partner.
- Clear images for each proprietor of a valid means of identification (such as your NIN slip, international passport or driver's licence), a passport photograph, and a signature.
Step 1: Create an account on the CAC portal
Go to the CAC Company Registration Portal at icrp.cac.gov.ng and sign up with your email address. You will use this account for every filing — now and in future years — so keep the login details safe and use an email you will still have later.
Step 2: Check that your name is available
Use the name availability search. Enter up to two proposed names and select the nature of your business. At the time of writing, CAC's FAQ lists the fee for a name availability request as ₦500.
If the name is approved, you receive an availability code (sometimes called an AV code) that you will use in the next step. If it is rejected, the portal lets you update the name or see suggestions.
Tips for names that get approved:
- Avoid names that are identical or very similar to an existing business.
- Avoid words that suggest a government link or a regulated activity — for example "Federal", "National", "Bank" or "Insurance" — unless you have the required approval.
- Make the name describe what you do, not just a single common word.
Step 3: Fill in the registration form
Start the business name registration using your availability code. You will enter the business details (address, commencement date, nature of business) and each proprietor's details, then upload the ID, photograph and signature images.
Check every detail before you submit. The most common cause of delays is information that does not match — a name spelled differently from your ID, or a blurry document.
Step 4: Pay the registration fee
The portal shows the current fee before you pay. Pay through the portal itself, and keep your payment reference.
Step 5: Download your certificate and status report
According to CAC's FAQ, business name registrations are processed automatically and quickly; some applications still need a manual check. Once approved, open your dashboard and download your certificate and status report. Keep digital and printed copies — you will be asked for both.
After registration: four things to do
- Open a business bank account in the registered name. Banks will typically ask for your certificate, status report, ID and BVN. Keeping business money separate from personal money is also the single best thing you can do for your profit records.
- Get a Tax Identification Number (TIN) for the business — banks, government agencies and many larger customers ask for it.
- File annual returns with CAC every year through the same portal. Late filing attracts penalties, so put a reminder in your calendar.
- Start keeping clean records from day one. Lenders and grant programmes ask for transaction history, not just a certificate.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Paying an unverified agent who registers the business under their own details or never delivers the certificate. If you use an agent, choose an accredited one and make sure the account and documents are in your name.
- Choosing the wrong nature of business, which can cause problems later with banks and licences.
- Forgetting annual returns until a bank or client asks for an up-to-date status report.
How Amaya & Co. can help
Our business registration support service guides owners through CAC registration step by step — choosing the right structure, preparing and checking documents, and tracking the filing with you. Where a matter needs a lawyer or accountant, we will say so and refer you.
Once you are registered, KudiAI Track helps you build the record of sales, expenses and credit that banks and lenders look for. Talk to us about getting your business formalised.
Fees and portal steps can change. Check the current details on the CAC portal FAQ before you pay.