CAC Business Registration in Nigeria

Straightforward CAC registrations are often completed within a few working days once the documents are in order, and the Commission itself aims at a shorter time, but name objections or queries can extend it. We handle the entire process on your behalf.

A limited liability company (Ltd) is a separate legal entity that limits the personal liability of its shareholders. A business name is a simpler registration for sole traders and partnerships but does not create a separate legal entity.

Not for most private companies. Under the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 a private company that qualifies as a small company can have a single director; any other company, including one with a foreign shareholder, needs at least two. A company can also be formed with a single shareholder, and there is no general rule that a director must be Nigerian. Companies with foreign shareholders have extra steps: the CAC currently expects a minimum share capital of ₦100 million, the company must register with the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission before it starts business, a business permit from the Federal Ministry of Interior is needed, and some sectors set their own rules. We advise on what applies to you.

Business names are registered online on the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) portal. You search for and reserve the name, then file the registration with the details of the owner or owners, their identification and a business address, and pay the CAC fee. When CAC approves it, you receive a certificate of registration.

The total is the CAC filing fee plus any professional fee. CAC sets its own fees and changes them from time to time, so confirm the current amount before you file. Our professional fee is discussed with you after a short consultation; CAC fees are separate and passed on at cost.

Yes. Companies and business names must file an annual return with CAC every year, whether or not they traded. Late filing attracts penalties, so it helps to keep a reminder or let a lawyer track the date for you.