Business Name Registration in Nigeria: What to Prepare Before Filing with CAC

Registering a business name with Nigeria’s Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) starts with choosing a name that can be approved and creating or using a CAC Company Registration Portal account. The first practical step is a name search and reservation. After approval, the registration process moves into the business-name application where the proprietor provides the business details, address, commencement information and personal information required by the portal.

Prepare the proprietor information before you start

The CAC business-name user guide shows that applicants should be ready to provide the business email and address, date of commencement and proprietor details. The proprietor-document stage also requires a means of identification, passport photograph and signature in the format accepted by the portal. Preparing these items before you begin reduces avoidable interruptions and makes it easier to respond if CAC raises a query.

Check the filing before payment

Before submitting, review the spelling of the proposed name, the nature of business, addresses and proprietor information. Pay only through the official CAC process and keep the application reference and evidence of payment. CAC’s published service timelines assume that relevant documents are complete and any query has been resolved, so incomplete information can extend the process.

What to do after approval

Download and store the electronic registration documents securely. Registration is not the end of compliance: business names may have post-registration obligations such as annual returns and updates when business information changes. Because requirements, fees and portal workflows can change, confirm the current position on the official CAC website or iCRP before filing. If you use a third party, verify that the person is properly accredited where accreditation is required.