Business Registration (CAC)
The CAC portal lets you register a Business Name (sole proprietorship/simple partnership) or incorporate a Limited Company entirely online, with digital certificates issued within days.
- Processing time
- Business Names: often same-day to 7 working days. Limited Companies: 5–20 working days depending on complexity.
- Starting cost
- ₦1,000 – ₦1,200
- Steps
- 6 to complete
- Last verified
- August 2026
Who can apply
- Any Nigerian aged 18+ (or a company/entity) can register a business name or company
- Non-Nigerians can also register, with additional requirements for company incorporation
Documents you'll need
What it costs
| Business Name — name reservation | ₦1,000 – ₦1,200 |
| Business Name — registrationTotal DIY cost typically ₦11,000–₦21,000 | ₦10,000 – ₦20,000 |
| Private Limited CompanyDepends on share capital | ₦30,000 – ₦100,000+ |
| Annual returns (Business Name)Mandatory ongoing filing | ₦5,000/year |
Where to apply
- Fully online at cac.gov.ng — name search, reservation, form completion, document upload and payment
- Accredited agents/law firms if you prefer not to file yourself
Application steps
- 1
Search and reserve a name
Search availability on the CAC portal and reserve your preferred name; reservations are typically held for a limited period.
- 2
Choose your business type
Business Name for a simple sole proprietorship/partnership, or Private Limited Company for a separate legal entity.
- 3
Complete the registration form
Enter proprietor/shareholder details, business address, share capital (for companies) and nature of business.
- 4
Upload documents
Colour-scanned valid ID and passport photograph — black-and-white scans are commonly rejected.
- 5
Pay the registration fee
Pay via the portal using card, bank transfer or Remita.
- 6
Download your certificate
Digital certificates are usually issued within 24 hours to a few days for Business Names, longer for companies.
How to pay
- Card payment on the CAC portal
- Remita/bank transfer
Checking your status
Anyone can verify a registration by searching the business name or RC number on the CAC portal.
Common mistakes to avoid
- ✕Submitting black-and-white ID scans, which are frequently rejected
- ✕Choosing a business name too similar to an already-registered one
- ✕Forgetting mandatory annual returns after registration, leading to penalties
- ✕Paying an agent several times the official government fee without knowing the real cost
Ready to start your business registration application?
You'll complete the actual transaction on the official Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) site — we just made sure you arrive knowing exactly what to do.
Go to CAC Portal — cac.gov.ng ↗