Registering a business in Nigeria often feels like navigating a maze in the dark. If you have ever tried to file annual returns or secure a certified document from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), you likely faced a process that was slow, confusing, and frustratingly opaque. Most agents work exclusively through WhatsApp, keeping prices hidden until the last second and leaving you guessing about timelines and requirements. SplashDict Limited was created to change that reality.
We are a licensed corporate secretarial and business compliance firm, powered by ICSAN-trained chartered secretaries and accredited CAC agents. Since our launch in 2024, we have helped over 1,000 businesses in Nigeria and abroad through our streamlined online platform. On our site, every requirement and price is clearly listed before you ever spend a naira.
Complete Breakdown of SplashDict Limited Nigeria Services (CAC, Compliance & More)
This guide explains how SplashDict simplifies everything from initial registration to tax compliance and business permits, giving you a reliable partner for every stage of your business journey.
What Is SplashDict Limited Nigeria?
SplashDict Limited is a licensed corporate secretarial and business compliance firm registered in Nigeria. It is not a law firm. It is a structured, professional corporate services company built to handle every regulatory and compliance obligation a Nigerian business entity may face from the day it is incorporated to the day it is wound down.
The company was founded by Mathew Ekundayo Mayowa, an IT consultant and graduate member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN). Mathew holds a BSc in Actuarial Science from the University of Lagos, a Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management from Lagos State University, and a Master of Information Technology (MIT) from the University of Lagos. He built SplashDict to give every entrepreneur, whether in Lagos, Abuja, London, or Houston, a reliable, fully online path to registering and managing a Nigerian business entity.
Since launching in 2024, SplashDict has supported over 1,000 businesses across Nigeria and the diaspora. Every service is available on the platform with pricing published upfront. There is no negotiation, no hidden fee revealed at checkout, and no chasing an agent on WhatsApp.
SplashDict's Core Services: What We Handle for Your Business
SplashDict covers the full regulatory lifecycle of a Nigerian business entity, from initial CAC registration through to annual compliance, ownership changes, intellectual property protection, tax setup, and sector-specific licences. Below is a complete breakdown of every service category on the platform, what it covers, and who it is for.
CAC Registration Services (Business Formation)
CAC registration in Nigeria is mandatory for any business operating in the country. The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) is the federal body responsible for registering and regulating business entities. Operating without registration exposes businesses to regulatory penalties and limits access to formal financing, government contracts, and banking relationships.
SplashDict handles CAC registration for every recognised business structure under Nigerian law:
Business Name Registration covers sole proprietorships and general partnerships, the most common structure for small businesses, traders, and freelancers. It is the quickest and most affordable registration type.
Company Incorporation covers private limited liability companies (Ltd), public limited companies (Plc), and unlimited companies. Limited liability companies are the most common structure for startups, SMEs, and investor-backed ventures.
Non-Profit Registration covers Incorporated Trustees (for religious bodies, NGOs, foundations, and associations) and companies limited by guarantee (LTD/GTE), which are used by professional associations and similar entities.
Partnership Registration covers limited partnerships (LP) and limited liability partnerships (LLP) for professional services firms and structured joint ventures.
Whether you are formalising a side business or launching a fully funded startup, SplashDict manages the entire process, document preparation, CAC submission, and certificate delivery, without requiring you to visit any office.
Post-Incorporation & Compliance Services (Annual Returns and Beyond)
CAC registration in Nigeria is not a one-time event. The CAC requires all registered entities to file annual returns and maintain accurate, up-to-date records. Failure to comply attracts penalties and can eventually result in a company being struck off the register.
SplashDict manages ongoing compliance for:
- Companies (private and public)
- Business names (sole proprietors and partnerships)
- Incorporated Trustees
- Limited Partnerships (LP)
- Limited Liability Partnerships (LLP)
Specific services include Annual Returns Filing, which confirms to the CAC that a business is still active and operating; Certified True Copies (CTC) of registered documents, which are frequently required for banking, bidding on contracts, or regulatory applications; Status Reports, which confirm the current standing of an entity with the CAC; and Letters of Good Standing, which confirm that a company has met its filing obligations and is in good regulatory standing.
Many businesses lose their good standing not because of any wrongdoing, but simply because they missed a filing deadline. SplashDict's compliance service is designed to ensure that does not happen.
CAC Leadership & Ownership Changes
As businesses grow, their leadership structures, shareholding arrangements, and governance documents change. All such changes must be formally filed with the CAC and reflected in the company's statutory records. Failing to update CAC records creates legal and operational risk, particularly when applying for loans, processing acquisitions, or responding to regulatory enquiries.
SplashDict processes filings for every category of change recognised by the CAC:
- Director appointments, resignations, removals, and updates in their Particulars
- Proprietor changes (for business names)
- Trustee and Chairman updates (for Incorporated Trustees)
- Shareholder, guarantor, and member changes
- Company secretary changes
- Persons with Significant Control (PSC) updates
- Administration, receivership, and supervisor changes
Each filing type has specific requirements, deadlines, and documentation. SplashDict's team ensures every update is filed correctly the first time, reducing delays and back-and-forth with the CAC.
CAC Entity Updates and Corporate Changes
Beyond leadership changes, businesses frequently need to update their core registered details; their name, address, business activities, share capital, or governing documents. Some businesses need to convert from one entity type to another. Others need to be formally closed.
SplashDict handles all entity-level CAC filings:
- Registered Name Change: updating a business name following a rebrand or restructuring
- Registered Address Change: reflecting a change in principal office location
- Business Activity Updates: amending the objects clause in a company's memorandum
- Governing Document Amendments: updating the Articles of Association or Constitution
- Capital and Share Adjustments: increasing authorised share capital, allotting new shares, or restructuring existing share classes
- Entity Conversion: converting a business name to a company, or a company to an LLP
- Cessation, Striking Off, Dissolution, and Liquidation: formal closure processes for entities that are no longer active
Each of these processes involves specific CAC forms, resolutions, and timelines. SplashDict manages the paperwork so business owners can focus on the decision itself rather than the administrative process.
Intellectual Property Registration in Nigeria
Building a business without protecting your brand is a significant risk. In Nigeria, intellectual property protection is managed through the Trademarks, Patents and Designs Registry under the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment. Registration gives you legal ownership over your brand identity and creative works and the standing to take legal action against infringement.
SplashDict assists businesses with:
- Trademark registration: protecting your business name, logo, slogan, or product name
- Copyright registration: protecting original creative works, including software, written content, and artistic works
- Brand asset protection: advising on the scope of protection available for your specific assets
Registering your trademark is particularly important before investing heavily in brand marketing. Without registration, another business can legally use a similar name or mark, and your options for recourse are limited.
Nigerian Tax and Regulatory Compliance
Every registered business in Nigeria has ongoing tax obligations managed through the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). Many businesses, particularly small and growing ones, struggle with the practical steps of getting properly registered and set up in the tax system.
SplashDict supports businesses with:
- TaxPro-Max registration: setting up your business on FIRS's online tax management platform
- Tax Identification Number (TIN) setup: obtaining the TIN required for all formal business transactions
- VAT registration and filing: registering for Value Added Tax and managing periodic returns
- Tax validation and compliance: verifying your tax status and ensuring your filings are current
- Withholding Tax (WHT) support: guidance on WHT obligations for businesses making qualifying payments
- General tax advisory: practical guidance on common compliance questions
SplashDict is a corporate secretarial firm, not a tax consultancy or law firm. For complex tax advisory, dispute resolution, or formal tax planning, we recommend engaging a qualified chartered accountant or tax lawyer. SplashDict provides registration, setup, and filing support, not legal or specialist tax advice.
Nigerian Business Permits and Licences
Certain businesses in Nigeria require regulatory approvals beyond CAC registration before they can legally operate. The specific agencies and licences required depend on the industry and nature of the business.
SplashDict assists with permit and licence applications, including:
- NAFDAC registration: required for businesses manufacturing, importing, distributing, or selling food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals, or packaged water
- General business permits: operational permits required in certain regulated industries
- Industry-specific licences: applications to sector regulators such as the NAICOM (insurance), CBN (financial services), and others
For businesses in regulated industries, getting the right licences in place from the start is essential. Operating without required permits creates serious legal exposure.
Corporate Secretarial Services
Beyond registration and one-off compliance filings, some companies need ongoing professional corporate secretarial support to manage their statutory obligations continuously. This is particularly relevant for companies with active boards, multiple shareholders, or complex governance requirements.
SplashDict offers retainer-based corporate secretarial services, including:
- Maintaining statutory registers and company books (share register, register of directors, minute books)
- Preparing and filing board resolutions
- Advising on CAC filing obligations and deadlines
- Supporting Annual General Meeting (AGM) documentation and board meeting minutes
- Drafting shareholder agreements and governance documents in consultation with legal counsel, where required
Companies that do not have an in-house company secretary, or whose appointed secretary needs support, can engage SplashDict on an ongoing basis.
Why Businesses Choose SplashDict Limited Nigeria
There is no shortage of agents offering CAC registration in Nigeria. Most operate informally, through social media inboxes and WhatsApp. SplashDict is built differently.
1. The entire process is online: You do not need to visit any office, send documents by courier, or be physically present in Nigeria. Every service, from CAC registration to annual returns to IP filing, can be initiated, processed, and completed through a browser. This matters enormously for Nigerians in the diaspora and for foreign investors entering the Nigerian market.
2. Pricing is published: SplashDict lists the cost of every service on its website before you commit to anything. There are no hidden government fees added at the end, no agency charges revealed after you have already started, and no negotiation required. The price you see is the price you pay.
3. The team is licensed and accountable: SplashDict is staffed by ICSAN-trained chartered secretaries and CAC-accredited agents. It is a registered corporate services firm held to professional standards, not a side operation run from a personal inbox. That accountability matters when the accuracy of your CAC filings has legal and financial consequences.
Who SplashDict Serves
SplashDict works with a broad range of clients across Nigeria and the diaspora:
- First-time entrepreneurs registering their first business and are unfamiliar with the CAC process
- Startups and SMEs that need ongoing compliance support after incorporation
- Established companies managing governance changes, post-restructuring filings, or complex shareholder transactions
- NGOs and non-profits navigating the Incorporated Trustees process and annual compliance requirements
- Nigerians in the diaspora who need to register or manage a Nigerian entity from abroad
- Foreign nationals and international businesses entering the Nigerian market
- Accountants, lawyers, and consultants who need a reliable compliance partner for their clients
How to Get Started with SplashDict
Every service SplashDict offers is available directly on splashdict.com. You can browse by service category, review requirements and pricing in full, and place your order online.
After ordering, the SplashDict team will follow up within one business day with a personalised document checklist and clear next steps. All documents are submitted online. Certificates and completed filings are delivered digitally.
SplashDict Limited is a corporate secretarial and business support services firm registered in Nigeria. It is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. For complex legal or tax matters, please engage a qualified legal practitioner or chartered accountant.
