Changing your company name in Nigeria is a strategic post-incorporation step governed by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020.
A company’s name is its identity, representing your brand, reputation, and legal existence. Businesses sometimes outgrow their original name or need to make a strategic switch for branding, compliance, or expansion purposes.
Your Step-by-Step Guide to the CAC Process, Cost, and Legal Requirements
Whether it’s for rebranding, mergers, or correcting an error, the CAC provides a clear process for officially changing your company’s registered name. This guide covers the CAC process, cost, documents, and legal implications of changing a company name in Nigeria.
Voluntary vs. Compulsory CAC Name Change Under CAMA 2020
Under Sections 30–32 of CAMA 2020, a company may change its name by special resolution and with CAC approval. There are two main types:
A. Voluntary Reasons for Changing a Company Name
Initiated by the company itself for strategic or operational reasons, such as:
Rebranding or repositioning the business.
Mergers, acquisitions, or restructuring.
Expansion into new markets or services.
Correcting typographical or legal errors.
B. When the CAC Mandates a Compulsory Name Change
Directed by the CAC if your registered name is:
Identical or confusingly similar to another company’s name.
Misleading or likely to cause public confusion.
Deemed offensive or contrary to public policy.
A name change takes legal effect only when the CAC issues a new Certificate of Incorporation bearing the updated name.
Mandatory Pre-Filing Requirements for CAC Name Change
Before initiating the online application, ensure your company is compliant:
Check 1: Clearance of All Annual Returns & Penalties (The Green Light)
The CAC will not process any major post-incorporation filing, including a name change, if the company has outstanding Annual Returns or has accrued penalties. All annual returns must be filed up to date.
Check 2: Passing the Special Resolution (75% Approval)
A name change fundamentally alters the company's identity and requires the highest level of internal approval.
- Requirement: The change must be authorized by a Special Resolution of the shareholders at a General Meeting.
- Approval Threshold: A Special Resolution requires the affirmative vote of at least of the members present.
- Documentation: This resolution must be formally recorded, signed by at least two directors (1 for small companies), and uploaded as a key document.
Step-by-Step CAC Process for Changing a Company Name (iCRP)
The entire process is carried out online through the CAC’s Company Registration Portal (iCRP).
Step 1: Name Availability Search and Reservation (AV Code)
You must first secure the new name on the CAC registry.
- Check Availability: Log in to the iCRP portal and initiate a Name Reservation search to confirm your proposed new name is unique and available.
- Reserve the Name: If available, submit the application and pay the reservation fee.
- Obtain AV Code: Upon approval (usually within 4 hours), the CAC issues an Approval Validation (AV) Code, which reserves the name for 60 days.
Step 2: Pass Resolution and Prepare Documents
The company must officially agree to the name change and prepare the legal documents for filing.
- Special Resolution: Hold a General Meeting to pass the Special Resolution authorizing the change (as detailed above).
- Application Letter: Draft a formal application letter to the Registrar-General of the CAC, signed by two directors, stating the reasons for the change.
- Original Certificate: Locate the company’s original Certificate of Incorporation (or a CTC).
- Updated MEMART: Prepare the company's Memorandum and Articles of Association (MEMART) reflecting the new name, ready for re-stamping.
Step 3: Online Filing and Payment of Fees
Using the AV Code, your CAC-accredited agent (a lawyer or chartered secretary) will proceed with the filing.
- Initiate Filing: Log into the iCRP and navigate to Post-Incorporation Services Change of Name.
- Upload Documents: Upload the Special Resolution, the Application Letter, the Original Certificate of Incorporation, and the draft Updated MEMART.
- Pay Stamp Duty: The system will direct you to pay the Stamp Duty to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for stamping the Special Resolution and the Altered MEMART.
- Pay CAC Filing Fee: Pay the statutory filing fee to the CAC.
Step 4: CAC Review, Approval, and Issuance of New Certificate
The CAC reviews the application for compliance.
- Processing: If the submission is error-free, the CAC will process the application.
- Document: The CAC will then issue a new CAC Certificate of Registration and an updated CAC Status Report reflecting your new company name.
CAC Change of Name Cost Breakdown and Estimated Timeline
Planning for a name change requires understanding the associated costs and timeline.
Estimated Timeline: A typical, query-free change of name process usually takes 3-14 days from the date of final submission to the issuance of the new certificate and status report. Delays are most often caused by unpaid Annual Returns or errors in the submitted documents.
Ready to File? Get Professional CAC Name Change Assistance
Reserving your business name is the foundation of every CAC registration. By following the rules under CAMA 2020, choosing a compliant name, and using the iCRP portal correctly, you can avoid rejections, delays.
At SplashDict, our experts help you pick compliant names, handle restricted-word consent, and manage the CAC process from start to finish, so you don’t have to worry about rejections.
Change the Registered Name of Company in Nigeria
Here's how SplashDict's CAC-accredited experts assist you:
