The Ultimate 2026 Guide to Registering Your Business Name With CAC

Congratulations! You’re taking the exciting leap into entrepreneurship. In Nigeria’s bustling economy, turning your passion into a business is a thrilling journey. But before you open your doors, launch your website, or even print your first business card, there’s one foundational step you must not skip: registering your business name with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

Many new entrepreneurs get confused between a “Business Name” and a “Limited Company (LTD).” Think of it this way: a Business Name is the simplest form of registration, ideal for sole proprietors and partnerships. It legally links the business to you, the owner. It’s faster, cheaper, and the perfect starting point for most small businesses, freelancers, and side hustles.

As of December 2025, the entire process is done online via the CAC portal, making it more accessible than ever. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, ensuring you get it right the first time.

Step 1: Choose Your Business Name (and Have Backups!)

This is the creative part, but it requires some strategy. Your business name is your identity. However, the name you want might already be taken or may not be permissible.

• Be Unique: The CAC will reject names that are identical or too similar to existing registered businesses.
• Avoid Restricted Words: You cannot use words like “Federal,” “National,” “Government,” “Holding,” or “Group” in a Business Name registration without special consent.
• Have Two Solid Options: To save time, decide on two distinct names you’d be happy with before you start the process.

Let’s say you want to start a catering business called “Taste of Lagos.” It’s a great name, but likely to be taken. Your backup could be “Lagos Culinary Creations.” Having both ready will speed up the next step.

Step 2: Conduct a Free Public Name Search

Before you pay any fees, use the free tool on the CAC portal to see if your desired name is already in use. This simple check can save you time and the name reservation fee.

1. Visit the official CAC website.
2. Find the “Public Search” feature.
3. Type your desired business name, for example, “Taste of Lagos,” into the search bar.
4. If the exact name appears in the results, it’s unavailable. You must use one of your backups.

Step 3: Reserve Your Chosen Name

Once you have a name that appears to be unique, the first official step is to reserve it. This costs a nominal fee (around NGN 1000) and secures your name for 60 days, giving you time to complete the full registration.

1. Create an account or log in to the CAC Company Registration Portal (CRP).
2. Click on “New Name Reservation.”
3. Submit your two preferred names in order of preference.
4. Pay the reservation fee online via Remita.
5. You will typically receive an approval or rejection within 24-48 hours. If approved, you’ll get a Name Approval Note, which is essential for the next stage.

Step 4: Complete the Full Registration Form

With your approved name, you can now proceed to the main registration. This is the most detailed part of the process, where you provide all the necessary information about your business and yourself.

Information you will need:

• Details of the Business: The approved name, the primary nature of the business (be specific, e.g., “Sale of Fashion Apparel and Accessories” instead of just “Business”), and the principal business address.
• Details of the Proprietor(s): Your full name, date of birth, gender, phone number, email address, and residential address. This information must match your official identification documents.

For the business address, you can use your home address if you’re just starting out. For the proprietor details, ensure your name is written exactly as it appears on your National Identification Number (NIN) slip. Any discrepancy will lead to a query and delay your application.

Step 5: Pay the Official CAC Filing Fees

After filling out the form, the portal will automatically calculate your total filing fee. For a Business Name registration in 2025, the official fee is NGN 20,000. Payment is made directly on the portal through the Remita payment gateway, which accepts debit cards, bank transfers, and other online payment methods.

Step 6: Upload Your Required Documents

The final step before submission is to upload clear, scanned copies of your documents. For a sole proprietor, this is straightforward.

You will need:

1. A Valid Government-Issued ID: Your NIN slip is the most preferred, but a Driver’s License, Voter’s Card, or International Passport page is also acceptable.
2. A Passport-Sized Photograph: A clear, recent photo with a white background.
3. A Scanned Signature: Sign clearly on a plain white piece of paper and scan or take a clear photo of it.

Step 7: Submit and Await Approval

Once all forms are filled, fees are paid, and documents are uploaded, you can submit your application. The status on your CAC dashboard will change to “Pending Approval.” The approval timeline can vary, but typically ranges from 3 to 10 working days. If there are any issues with your application, it will be “Queried,” and the CAC will state what you need to correct.

Step 8: Download Your New Business Documents!

Once approved, your status will change to “Registered.” Congratulations! You are now the official owner of a registered Nigerian business. You can log into your dashboard and download your new documents:

• The Certificate of Registration of Business Name
• The Status Report of the Business Name

Save these documents securely. You will need them to open a corporate bank account and for many other official transactions.