Sourcing & Trade Guide
How to Register a Business in Nigeria with CAC (2026)
Comilmart Team
October 19, 2026
If you want to register a business in Nigeria, the body you deal with is the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). Online buyers, banks, marketplaces and government offices often ask sellers for a CAC registration, so it is one of the first documents a serious seller needs. This guide explains the choice between a business name and a company, the online steps, the details to gather and what to do after you are registered.
Everything here is based on CAC's own pages, read in October 2026. Rules, forms, fees and timelines change, so use this as a map and confirm each step on cac.gov.ng before you pay anyone. We do not give legal advice.
Business name or company: which should you register?
CAC's website lists separate services for company registration, business names and incorporated trustees. For most small online sellers the real choice is between two of them.
| Business name | Company (for example a private limited company) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it suits | An individual or proprietor trading under a name | An owner who wants a separate legal entity, or has partners or investors |
| Who can do the filing | CAC says individuals can register without a legal practitioner, chartered accountant or chartered secretary | Prepared through the Company Registration Portal, with more documents |
| Review | CAC's FAQ says business name registrations are now processed instantly | The FAQ says LLC registrations still follow manual review |
If you are unsure, ask an accountant or lawyer which structure fits your plans. A business name is usually the quicker start; a company gives a separate legal entity, which matters for liability, partners and larger contracts.
How to register a business name with CAC
CAC's business name page describes three steps:
- Check that your name is available. CAC offers a business name generator for this. Its FAQ says a name availability request lets you submit a maximum of two options.
- Complete the pre-registration form and upload the relevant registration documents through the Company Registration Portal.
- Pay the filing fee. CAC publishes its fees on a separate schedule, so check the current amount there.
The page says registration is handled end to end on the portal, and you receive an electronic Certificate of Registration and a Certified Extract. Keep both; sellers, banks and marketplaces will ask for them. A business name registration uses the details of each proprietor, so the next section matters.
Details and documents to prepare
CAC's FAQ says that for each proprietor you need an identification document, a passport photograph and a signature, uploaded as images. CAC's 2022 operations checklist adds that acceptable photo IDs include a national ID card, an international passport data page, a driver's licence or a voter's card, and that information must match what you enter on the portal. That checklist is several years old, so confirm the current list with CAC.
- Full names with no initials, as written on your ID.
- The business address and the nature of the business.
- Two or more name options, in order of preference.
- A clear passport photograph and signature image for each proprietor.
- A working email address and phone number, since status updates and consent requests are sent by email.
The same 2022 checklist notes that foreigners cannot carry on business under a business name, and that a business must register within a set period after it starts trading. Check the current rule with CAC if either applies to you.
How to register a company
CAC's company registration page sets out five steps:
- Do a preliminary name search to check that your name is available.
- Reserve the name and begin formal registration.
- Complete the digital pre-registration and upload your supporting documents on the Company Registration Portal.
- Pay the filing and statutory stamp duty fees through the online payment gateway.
- Collect your electronic certificate and Certified Extract from the portal.
CAC's FAQ says name reservation is automated, with approval after successful payment, but that names needing consent are reviewed manually. The 2022 checklist says a private company other than one limited by guarantee may be formed by one person, a small company may have one director, and a company with foreign participation has a minimum share capital stated in the checklist. Because company rules carry more detail, many owners use a registered professional. If you do, ask for the CAC portal receipt and keep your certificates.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Mismatched details. A name spelled one way on your ID and another on the form can delay approval.
- Unclear business activity. Describe what you actually sell, so your registration supports your marketplace and bank applications.
- Paying unofficial agents. Use cac.gov.ng and the portal it links to, and keep proof of every payment.
- Ignoring annual obligations. Registration is the start. Ask CAC or your accountant what filings apply to your structure.
After CAC: what to do next
- Get your tax ID. Read our guide to the Tax Identification Number (TIN) in Nigeria.
- Open a business bank account using your certificates.
- Check product rules. Some products need approval from regulators such as NAFDAC or SON. See product standards and certification.
- Prepare to sell online. Our marketplace seller checklist for Nigeria lists everything to have ready, and how to sell online in Nigeria covers the wider picture.
On Comilmart, vendors sign up at /register/vendor. Business verification, which asks for legal name, registration number, tax number, address and documents, is a separate later step in the vendor dashboard and does not block you from creating your account or listing. Having your CAC details ready makes that step quicker.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need CAC registration to sell online in Nigeria? Requirements depend on the platform, your bank and the products you sell. Many buyers and banks prefer a registered business. Ask each platform what it needs.
Can I register a business in Nigeria without a lawyer? For a business name, CAC says individuals and proprietors can register without a legal practitioner, chartered accountant or chartered secretary. For a company, confirm with CAC or a professional.
How long does it take? CAC's FAQ says business name registrations are processed instantly and company registrations are manually reviewed. The pages we read gave no fixed timeline for companies, so check CAC's service timelines page.
How much does it cost? CAC publishes a fee schedule. We do not quote amounts, because they change.
Can a foreigner register a business name? CAC's 2022 checklist says no. Ask CAC about companies and any current changes.
Getting started
To register a business in Nigeria, choose between a business name and a company, gather your IDs, photographs and signatures, and use only the CAC portal. When your certificates arrive, move on to your tax ID and bank account, then open your seller account at /register/vendor and list your first products. If you have questions about what Comilmart needs from vendors, check /seller-policy or ask through /contact-us.