How to Register Your Business with the CAC in Nigeria (2026)

Registering with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) is the first real step to a legitimate business in Nigeria — and it's a prerequisite for almost everything that follows: a corporate bank account, most loans, government contracts, and protecting your business name. Here's how it works, what it costs, and which structure to choose.

Which structure should you register?

Business Name (sole proprietor or partnership) — the simplest, cheapest option. Ideal for freelancers, small traders and one-person businesses.
Private Limited Company (Ltd) — a separate legal entity with limited liability. Better if you're raising funding, taking on partners/investors, or want the business to be clearly distinct from you personally. Most lenders and serious contracts expect a Ltd.
Public companies and non-profits (incorporated trustees) exist too, for larger or mission-driven organisations.

What it costs (verify the current schedule)

As of the CAC's 2024 fee schedule, indicative CAC fees were roughly:

Business Name: about ₦10,000 (plus ~₦1,000 to reserve the name).
Private Ltd: about ₦30,000 in CAC fees, plus stamp duty on share capital (charged per million of capital).

Agents and law firms charge their own fees on top (widely variable). Fees change — always confirm the live schedule on cac.gov.ng before budgeting.

The steps

Reserve your name. Search and reserve an available name on the CAC portal (portal.cac.gov.ng) — held ~60 days.
Complete the registration form — proprietor/director details, registered address, business objects; for a Ltd, share capital and shareholding.
Disclose Persons with Significant Control (PSC). A 2026 requirement — disclose beneficial owners; non-compliance carries a penalty.
Upload IDs and pay the fees online. The portal is mobile-accessible — a Business Name can be done entirely from a phone.
Receive your certificate and status report (typically a few working days with correct documents).

Watch out for

Fake "agents". Use the official portal or a verifiable accredited agent; confirm any agent on the CAC's accredited list before paying.
Wrong structure. Registering a Business Name when a funder needs a Ltd means re-registering later. Match the structure to your plans.

Frequently asked questions

Can I register a business myself without an agent? Yes — Business Name registration on the CAC portal is designed to be done yourself, including payment and uploads.

Why do banks and lenders ask for CAC documents? A corporate account and most business loans require proof of registration (certificate + status report) — it's how they confirm the business is real and who controls it.

Business Name or Limited Company? Business Name for the simplest, lowest-cost start; Ltd for limited liability, investment, and access to bigger funding — see our guide to business loans in Nigeria.

Educational information, not legal or financial advice. Verify current fees, forms and requirements on cac.gov.ng before registering.