Step 1: Account Creation on the CAC Portal
Before registering a business, you must create a user account on the official CAC portal.
Visit the official CAC Online Registration Portal.
Click on the Register button to create a new account.
Fill in your personal details, including your full name, date of birth, gender, and valid phone number.
Provide your National Identification Number (NIN). The system uses this to verify your identity.
Input a valid email address and create a secure password.
Check your email inbox for an activation link from the CAC, click it, and log into your dashboard.
Step 2: Name Search and Reservation
Your business name must be unique. The CAC will reject names that are identical or overly similar to existing registered entities.
Log into your dashboard and click on New Name Reservation.
Select your preferred Classification (e.g., Business Name, Company, or Incorporated Trustee).
Choose the Specific Type (e.g., Sole Proprietorship for Business Name, or Private Limited Company).
Enter two variations of your desired name (Option A and Option B) in order of preference.
Provide a brief description of your business nature (e.g., Information Technology, Agro-Allied, Retail Services).
Pay the non-refundable name reservation fee of ₦500 via the Remita gateway.
Wait for approval. This process takes 24 to 48 hours. You will receive an email stating whether your name is Approved or Denied.
Step 3: Complete the Registration Forms
Once your name is approved, it is reserved for 60 days. You must complete the full registration within this timeframe.
Log into the portal, navigate to your dashboard, and click on Reserved Names.
Click on your approved name to start the registration proper.
Business Details: Enter your official business address, start date, and main operational email.
Particulars of Proprietors/Directors: Input the names, addresses, phone numbers, and clear ID uploads (NIN or International Passport) for all business owners or directors.
Share Capital (For Companies Only): Specify your company's share capital (minimum 100,000 shares for private companies) and allocate the shares among the directors.
Nature of Business: Select the specific standard industrial classification (SIC) codes that match your day-to-day business operations.
Step 4: Pay the Registration and Stamp Duty Fees
The registration cost depends entirely on your chosen business structure.
Review your information carefully on the preview page to avoid correction fees later.
Click the payment button to generate a Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) code.
CAC Filing Fee: Pay the standard filing fee. A Business Name costs ₦10,000, while a Private Limited Company (under 1 million share capital) costs ₦15,000.
Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Stamp Duty: If you are registering a company, the portal will automatically redirect you to pay the required FIRS stamp duty fee based on your share capital volume.
Step 5: Document Upload and Submission
The final stage of the application requires digital documentation.
Go to the Document Upload section on your dashboard.
Upload a clear, scanned copy of your valid means of identification (NIN slip, Voter's Card, Driver's License, or Passport).
Upload a clear, digital image of your signature on plain white paper.
If your business requires specialized certifications (e.g., Pharmacy, Law, Engineering), upload your professional proficiency certificate.
Click Submit to send your completed application to the CAC registry for final review.
Step 6: Download Your Digital Certificates
The CAC completely handles approvals digitally. Physical collection at a CAC office is no longer required.
Monitor your portal status. Approval typically takes between 3 to 7 working days.
Once approved, you will receive a notification email containing your Tax Identification Number (TIN) generated automatically by the FIRS.
Log into your portal dashboard and click on Registered Companies.
Download your official CAC Certificate, Status Report, and Memorandum and Articles of Association (for companies).
Note: Ensure you download these files immediately, as the download links expire after a set period.
Maximize Your New Status
Now that your business is fully recognized by law, you need to make it discoverable to potential clients across Nigeria.
Take a few minutes to list your newly registered business in our directory www.connectciti.com. Adding your contact information, physical location, and services helps you build immediate local SEO authority and attract corporate buyers looking for verified, legitimate vendors.
