Business
Register a company in Nigeria with CAC
To register a company in Nigeria you file with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC); we prepare the papers, advise on shares and directors, and file for you.
Register your company with articles, share structure and first board papers prepared by a lawyer, not the default forms.
We register your private limited company with the Corporate Affairs Commission and deliver the certificate, the memorandum and articles, and the papers you need to open a bank account and start trading. A lawyer advises on share capital, directors and persons with significant control before anything is filed. Any CAC query or correction is handled for you.
- Advice on share capital, directors, shareholders and persons with significant control
- Name reservation and full registration filing on the CAC portal
- Memorandum and articles reviewed by a lawyer
- Certificate and filed documents delivered to your dashboard
- First board resolution and share certificates
- Your company set up in the compliance tracker with a first year calendar
Professional Fees: Discussed Following Consultation
Contact us to discuss your requirements and receive a tailored fee proposal.
Any CAC, registry, court or notary fees are separate and are explained before you pay.
5 to 10 working days, subject to the CAC portal
This is general information, not legal advice.
Start your request
Answer a few questions and add your documents. A partner reviews your request and confirms the professional fee with you before any payment.
Common questions
How do I register a company in Nigeria?
Companies are registered online with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). The usual steps are: check and reserve a name; decide the share capital and who the directors, shareholders and persons with significant control are; prepare the memorandum and articles of association; pay the filing fee and stamp duty; and file on the CAC portal. CAC then issues a certificate of incorporation.
Do I need a Nigerian director to register a company?
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.
What are CAC annual returns?
An annual return is a yearly filing with CAC that confirms the company's details, such as its address, directors and shareholders. It must be filed every year after the year of incorporation, even if the company did not trade. Late filing attracts penalties, and a company that keeps failing to file can be struck off the register.
This is general information, not legal advice.