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How to Register a Business in Nigeria with CAC (2026): Business Name or Limited Company
A registered business can open a business bank account, win contracts, sell on big platforms and look trustworthy to customers. You can now register online with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) without going to an office. Here are the options, costs and steps.
⚖️ Business name or limited company?
Business name (BN)
Private limited company (Ltd)
Best for
Sole traders, small shops, freelancers
Growing businesses, investors, big contracts
Owner’s liability
You are personally responsible for debts
Company is separate — your personal assets are protected
Churches, NGOs, clubs and associations register as Incorporated Trustees instead (filing about ₦40,000 plus a newspaper advert of the name).
💰 Official costs (2025 CAC fee schedule)
Item
Fee
Name search
Free
Name reservation
₦1,000 (more for restricted words)
Business name registration
₦20,000
Company — share capital up to ₦1m
₦10,000
Company — ₦1m to ₦500m capital
₦20,000 per ₦1m of share capital
Stamp duty (company)
About ₦8,500 for the first ₦1m, paid to the tax authority
Payment gateway (Remita)
About ₦160 per payment
Accredited agents and lawyers charge extra for doing it for you — that is optional. Always confirm the current fees on the official portal before paying.
🖥️ Steps to register online
Check your nameUse the free CAC name search on the official website, cac.gov.ng. Choose 2 options in case your first choice is taken.
Create an account on the CAC portalRegister on the official CAC registration portal (icrp.cac.gov.ng) with your email.
Reserve the nameChoose business name or company, pick your business type and nature of business, then pay. Approval gives you an availability (AV) code.
Fill in the registration formEnter the business address, owners’ or directors’ details, NIN, phone, email, and for a company the shareholders and share capital.
Upload documents and signUpload a valid ID and signatures for each proprietor or director.
Pay the filing feesPay with card or bank via Remita on the portal.
Download your certificateAfter approval, download your certificate and status report from your dashboard. Your Tax ID (TIN) is generated automatically for companies.
File annual returns every year — late filing attracts penalties and can get the business struck off.
Get a TIN and register for tax if you are a company.
Keep records of sales and expenses.
Check if your sector needs a licence — e.g. NAFDAC for food and drugs, SON for some products.
⚠️
Avoid fake agents
Pay only on the official CAC portal (cac.gov.ng). Fake “CAC agents” on social media collect money and disappear, or give fake certificates. You can verify any business on the CAC public search.
💬
Join the conversation
Did you register your business yourself or use an agent? · What stopped you from registering your business?
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to register a business name in Nigeria?
Under the 2025 CAC fee schedule, business name registration costs ₦20,000 plus about ₦1,000 for name reservation and a small Remita charge. Agents charge extra if you use one.
How long does CAC registration take?
Name reservation is often approved within a day. Full registration usually takes a few working days if your documents are correct, longer if CAC queries something.
Can I register a business online by myself?
Yes. You can do everything on the CAC portal without an agent.
What is the difference between BN and Ltd?
A business name is not separate from you, so you are personally liable for its debts. A limited company is a separate legal person, which protects your personal assets and makes it easier to bring in investors.
Written by the askJBoss team from public information and our own research; last updated November 2026. Prices, dates and rules change — always confirm with the official source. Spotted something that has changed? Tell us in the comments.
