If you want to start and legally operate a small business in Nigeria, completing your CAC Business Name Registration online is the essential first step. It provides immediate legal recognition, protects your brand name, and is a prerequisite for opening a corporate bank account.

This structure is the most affordable and fastest way for artisans, freelancers, and small traders to gain an official identity under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020. While the automated portal is designed for ease of use, many entrepreneurs still find the process confusing, leading to frequent queries and delays.

A Complete 2026 Guide to Business Name Registration in Nigeria using the new CAC Portal (Sole Proprietorship, Partnership)

This guide covers everything: the requirements, fees, the full step-by-step process, common pitfalls, and how to complete your CAC business name registration online using the official CAC portal.

What Is CAC Business Name Registration?

Registration of Business Name is the official process of formalizing a Sole Proprietorship (one owner) or Partnership (two or more owners) with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

This grants you a Certificate of Registration and a unique Business Name number, allowing you to operate legally under a trade name that is separate from your personal name.

Unlike a Limited Liability Company (LTD), a Business Name (often called an "Enterprise" or "Venture") is not a separate legal entity from its owner(s). The owner has unlimited personal liability for all business debts. If the business incurs a loss or a lawsuit, your personal assets (like your house or car) are at risk.

Why Register a Business Name with CAC in Nigeria? (8 Critical Benefits)

Registration of a business name is mandatory under Nigerian law if you operate under a trade name that differs from your legal personal surname. This simple, affordable structure gives sole proprietors and partnerships immediate legal recognition and operational advantages without the complexity of a limited company.

1. Legal Authority to Operate & Full CAMA 2020 Compliance

CAC business name registration makes your business officially recognized under Nigerian law. You gain full compliance with the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA 2020), enabling you to operate legally and avoid penalties for unregistered trading.

2. Open Corporate Bank Accounts

Registered business names can open business bank accounts with major Nigerian banks (GTBank, Zenith, Access, First Bank, UBA) and fintech platforms such as Opay Business, Moniepoint, and Kuda Business. This separates personal and business finances and supports professional operations.

3. Access to Payment Gateways & Merchant Accounts

Payment platforms like Paystack, Flutterwave, Monnify, and Remita require CAC registration for merchant account approval. Registration enables online payments, POS terminals, and digital transaction processing.

4. Exclusive Nationwide Name Protection

Your business name is reserved exclusively across Nigeria. No other entity can register or operate under the same or a deceptively similar name, protecting your brand identity and market position.

5. Automatic Tax Identification Number (TIN) Generation

Upon successful registration, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) automatically generates your Tax Identification Number (TIN), enabling legal tax compliance and proper invoicing.

6. Eligibility for Business Loans, Grants & Government Programs

CAC registration is required to access loans, grants, and intervention programs from banks, microfinance institutions, and government agencies such as SMEDAN, BOI, LSETF, and NIRSAL.

7. Win Bigger Contracts & Corporate Opportunities

Corporate clients, schools, hospitals, and government agencies prioritize legally registered vendors. Business name registration qualifies you for tenders, supply contracts, and larger partnerships.

8. Enhanced Credibility, Professionalism & Customer Trust

Displaying “Registered with CAC” on invoices, receipts, websites, and social media builds customer confidence. Registration signals legitimacy, professionalism, and commitment to compliance.

The entire CAC business name registration process can be completed online through the official CAC portal (icrp.cac.gov.ng), often within 24 hours.

Who Should Choose Business Name Registration in Nigeria?

Business Name registration is best suited for individuals or partners prioritising speed, affordability, and simplicity over limited liability protection. It is the ideal entry point for many Nigerian entrepreneurs.

This registration option is perfect for:

Solo Entrepreneurs & Freelancers: Individuals running operations on their own (e.g., consultants, web developers, graphic designers) who need a professional business name and a corporate bank account.
Small-Scale Traders & Retailers: Owners of small shops or e-commerce stores who need formal compliance but do not yet require complex corporate structures.
General Partnerships: Two or more people going into business together with shared responsibilities.
New Ventures & Side Hustles: Entrepreneurs testing a new business idea who want to minimise startup costs and paperwork before eventually upgrading to a Limited Liability Company (Ltd).

Choose the Business Name registration if you:

Are a sole owner or a small group of partners.
Have a low perceived risk of business debts or lawsuits.
Want the fastest, most affordable method to achieve legal compliance.

If you plan to seek external investment, attract venture capital, or operate in high-risk industries, a Private Limited Company (Ltd) is usually the more appropriate option.

Types of Business Names You Can Register with the CAC

Under the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) structure, specifically for Business Names (also known as Enterprises), there are two primary categories you can register. The choice depends solely on the number of owners:

A. Sole Proprietorship (One Owner)

This is the simplest and most common form of CAC Business Name Registration.

Definition: The business is entirely owned, managed, and controlled by one individual (the Sole Proprietor).
Liability: Unlimited Liability. The owner and the business are legally one entity. The proprietor is personally responsible for all business debts and legal obligations.
Profits & Decisions: The proprietor keeps 100% of the profits and has complete autonomy over all business decisions.
Ideal For: Freelancers, consultants, artisans, and single-owner small shops.

B. Partnership (Two or More Owners)

This structure is used when a business has multiple owners who agree to share the profits or losses.

Definition: The business is owned and managed by two or more individuals (up to a maximum of 20 partners) who agree to carry on a business with a view to profit.
Liability: Unlimited Joint Liability. The partners are jointly and severally liable for the debts and obligations of the business. This means a creditor can pursue any single partner for the full amount owed by the business.
Governance: Governance is typically guided by a Partnership Deed or agreement, which defines the duties, profit-sharing ratio, and rules for dissolution.
Ideal For: Joint ventures, co-founders of a small business, or groups of professionals (e.g., small general law firms, consulting groups) opting for a non-corporate structure.

Feature	Sole Proprietorship	Partnership
Number of Owners	1 (The Proprietor)	2 to 20 (The Partners)
Liability Type	Unlimited	Unlimited (Joint and Several)
Control	Full Autonomy	Shared/Governed by Agreement
Ending the Business	Ends upon the owner's death or retirement.	Can continue if the Deed permits and the remaining partners agree.

Essential Requirements for CAC Business Name Registration

To complete your CAC business name registration online on the official CAC portal, you must gather the following documents and details for every proprietor involved in the business. Having these ready before you start ensures a smooth and fast submission process.

Personal Requirements (Proprietor Biodata)

You need to provide detailed information for all owners:

Full Name: Surname, First Name, and Other Name(s) as they appear on your ID.
Contact Information: Phone number and email address.
Residential Address: Street number, street address, city, state, and LGA of residence in Nigeria.
Gender and Date of Birth.

Business Requirements

Details about the business operation:

Proposed Business Name: One unique name ending with the correct suffix (e.g., Concepts, Enterprises, Ventures). The system uses instant verification, so usually one name option is enough.
Nature of Business: A detailed description of your business activities and objectives (e.g., “Trading,” “Consultancy Services,” “General Contracts”).
Business Address: The official location of your business operations in Nigeria. This may be a physical shop or a home address.
Business Commencement Date: The date the business officially started operating. Note: You may be charged additional penalty fees for a commencement date over 28 days old.

Required Documents for Upload

All documents must be in Image Format (JPEG or PNG) and not exceed 4MB per file.

Requirement	Description
Valid Identification (ID)	A clear, colored scan of a government-issued ID. The NIN slip/card is mandatory for verification.
Passport Photograph	A recent passport-sized photo with a white background.
Digital Signature	A clear scan of your signature on a plain white background.
Partnership Agreement (If Applicable)	A formal agreement if multiple proprietors are involved.

Step-by-Step CAC Business Name Registration Process Online

Registering a Business Name in Nigeria is now fully digital through the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Company Registration Portal (CRP). Below is the complete step-by-step guide.

Step 1: Create Your CAC Portal Account

The first step is to create an account on the CAC Company Registration Portal at icrp.cac.gov.ng.
You’ll be required to provide your full name, email address, phone number, and National Identification Number (NIN).

After submitting your details, a verification code will be sent to your email for two-factor authentication (2FA). Enter this code to activate your account. Once verified, you can log in anytime to begin or continue your Business Name registration.

Step 2: Search and Reserve Your Business Name

Next, you need to reserve a unique name to ensure it’s not already in use.

Log in to your CAC dashboard and navigate to Name Reservations. Under Business Classification, select “Business Name” and choose your preferred type, such as Sole Proprietorship or Partnership.

Enter your proposed Business Name (e.g., Mekus & Sons Ventures). Choose your Nature of Business Category and Specific Business Type, then proceed to payment.

A ₦1000 name reservation fee is paid through Remita. The system checks availability instantly, and once approved, your name is reserved immediately.

Step 3: Initiate the Registration (Using Your AV Code)

Once your name is approved, you can start registration from your dashboard.

Option 1: Go to Registration → Register New Business. Enter the AV Code sent to your email.
Option 2 (Faster): Under Name Reservations, click the three-dot menu beside your approved name and select Start Registration. This auto-fills the AV Code and opens the form.

Step 4: Fill Out the Pre-Incorporation Form

This step is critical. Ensure all details are accurate to avoid delays or queries.

Section	Required Details	Key Requirement
Business Name Details	Registered office address, head office, and official email.	Must be a physical Nigerian address.
Business Activities	Principal and specific activities (e.g., "General Contractor", "IT Consulting").	Be clear and specific.
Principal/Partners	Personal details, contact information, and identification (NIN or Passport).	Must match ID documents exactly.

Step 5: Upload Supporting Documents

Ensure all documents are clear. Blurry documents often cause registration delays.

Documents you will need:

A passport photograph and valid ID for each proprietor or partner (NIN, International Passport, or Driver’s License).
Scanned signatures on a plain white background.

Step 6: Pay CAC Filing Fees

After completing the form and uploading documents, you will be directed to the Remita payment portal.

Note: Payments are processed instantly. Receipts will appear under your dashboard.

Step 7: Final Submission and CAC Review

With payment complete, you can now submit your application.

What happens next:

Submit for Review: Formally submit your application to the CAC.
Track Progress: Monitor your application under My Applications.
Address Queries: If CAC raises issues, fix them and resubmit.
Receive Approval: Once approved, you will receive a confirmation email.

Step 8: Download Your CAC Documents

Once approved, download:

Certificate of Registration
Status Report

Note: Your TIN (Tax Identification Number) is usually auto-generated. If not, click View/Generate TIN on your dashboard.

Cost of CAC Business Name Registration in Nigeria (2025)

The total estimated cost for a do-it-yourself (DIY) CAC business name registration online in 2025 is between ₦11,000 and ₦12,000.

This price is a combination of mandatory government fees and small processing charges.

Breakdown of Mandatory Fees:

Cost Component	Official CAC Fee (2025 Gazette)	Notes
Name Reservation Fee	₦1,000	This is mandatory and paid first to reserve your chosen business name.
Business Name Registration Fee	₦10,000	This is the main filing fee, paid after your name has been approved.

Total Estimated Cost (DIY on CAC Portal):

₦11,000 – ₦12,000

This total includes the official CAC filing fees plus minor Remita service and processing charges during online payment.

How Long Does CAC Business Name Registration Take?

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) typically approves a Business Name registration within 24 working hours. With the upgraded AI-powered i-CRP system, some applications may even receive instant approval. However, processing times can vary depending on accuracy, workload, and verification needs.

Standard and Instant Approval

• Standard Timeline (24 Working Hours): The official CAC timeline for Business Name registration is 24 working hours, covering name approval and filing review.

• AI-Powered Instant Processing: The new i-CRP platform uses AI to analyse applications, allowing some Business Names to be approved instantly, especially when documents and details are accurate.

Potential Reasons for Business Name Registration Delays

Even though the system is fast, delays can occur due to:

Incorrect or incomplete information: Any errors will trigger a CAC query and pause approval.
High workload or backlogs: During peak periods, the Commission may take longer than usual.
Additional verification: Certain applications may require extra compliance checks.

Tips to Avoid Delays

Submit before 5:05 PM: Early submissions increase the chances of same-day name reservation processing.
Double-check all entries: Ensure names, dates, addresses, and documents are accurate before submitting.
Monitor your application: Frequently check for CAC queries so you can respond immediately.

After Business Name Registration: What’s Next?

Completing your CAC Business Name registration is just the beginning. Once approved, several key steps will help ensure your business is fully operational, legally compliant, and positioned for growth.

1. Download Your Official Documents

Immediately after approval, log in to your CAC dashboard to access:

Certificate of Registration – Your official proof of business registration.
Status Report – Confirms registration details and compliance.
Tax Identification Number (TIN) – Automatically generated with your certificate. If not, generate it manually via the CAC portal.

2. Register for Taxes with FIRS and State Authorities

With your TIN, you should register for relevant taxes:

Federal Taxes: Visit the FIRS portal (or the nearest office) to submit the Taxpayer Registration Input Form and the TaxPro Max update form, along with a copy of your CAC certificate. This activates your TIN for federal taxes (like VAT and WHT).
State Taxes: If your business is located in a specific state (e.g., LIRS in Lagos), register with the State Internal Revenue Service for state-level taxes (e.g., Personal Income Tax for the proprietor).

3. Set Up Your Business Accounts

Your Certificate of Registration and TIN unlock several opportunities:

Open corporate bank accounts with Zenith, GTBank, or Access Bank.
Apply for business loans, POS registration, and payment gateways.

4. Secure Your Digital Presence

Purchase a domain name matching your registered business name (e.g., yourbusiness.com.ng).
Claim social media handles across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

5. Set Up Professional Communication Channels

Create a professional email (e.g., info@yourbusinessname.com).
Set up a dedicated WhatsApp Business account to manage customer communication.

6. Register with SMEDAN

Register your business with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to obtain a unique business number and access support programs, grants, and training.

7. Obtain Necessary Permits and Licenses

Depending on your industry, additional approvals may be required:

Food & Cosmetics: NAFDAC registration.
Finance & Investment: Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) approvals.
Other industry-specific permits from relevant regulatory bodies.

8. CAC Annual Returns (The Key to Active Status)

Filing Annual Returns is mandatory to keep your business status Active and avoid penalties.

First Filing: Business Names are not required to file annual returns for the year of incorporation. Your first filing is due after the first 18 months of registration.
Subsequent Filings: After the first filing, you must file annually, usually between January 1st and June 30th of every year.
Cost & Penalty: As of the 2025 schedule, the filing fee is as low as ₦5,000, but late filing attracts a penalty of around ₦5,000 per year of default.

Why Choose SplashDict for CAC Business Name Registration?

Stop wasting time on blurry uploads, confusing forms, and frustrating CAC queries. When you choose SplashDict, you get more than just a certificate; you get a dedicated compliance partner.

What You Get With Our Service:

100% First-Time Approval: Our CAC-accredited team guarantees zero queries. Documents are perfectly prepared the first time, ensuring fast approval, often within 1 to 24 hours.

One Simple, Transparent Price: Pay a flat fee of ₦25,000. This covers all CAC fees, professional service charges, and document preparation. No hidden costs.

Done-for-You, Zero Stress Process: We handle everything: collect your details, prepare documents, submit to CAC, and deliver the final certificate and TIN.

Lifetime Compliance Backup: Registration is just the start. We provide annual return reminders and support for tax filing, name changes, and upgrades to LTD status.

Real Humans, Real Support: Get dedicated support via phone or WhatsApp. We respond promptly, not days later.