How to Register a Business Name in Nigeria

Last updated on November 24th, 2022 at 11:21 am

How to register a business name is one of the most asked questions on Google by business owners in Nigeria.

After choosing a business name for your new brand, you will want to register it to have full ownership and secure your brand identity.

Business registration in Nigeria

Seeking how to register a business name in Nigeria will take into consideration several factors. Such as the business structure as well as the geographical location in which the business will operate.

 

What is a Business Name?

A business name is your business’s legal identity. It can be your own personal name, nickname or something entirely different and unique to you.

Your business name will be public, so it’s important that you pick the right one for you.

A business name is very important for official correspondence, such as letters and invoices.

Business name registration in Nigeria is fairly straightforward, and entrepreneurs or investors can register their business name in Nigeria pretty easily.

This registration is done by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) which was established by the Companies and Allied Matters Act in the year 1990 to regulate the formation and management of companies in Nigeria.

Also, the CAC has the responsibility to register a business name in Nigeria.

Unlike before private individuals can now register their businesses in the comfort of their homes.

See Also: Top 30 Lucrative Business Ideas in Nigeria to Start

 

Why Should I Register My Business Name in Nigeria

As a business in Nigeria, there are many benefits to registering your business name with CAC.

They include:

  • To protect your legal liability
  • Ability to open a corporate account for your business.
  • You have a greater chance of attracting investors to your business.
  • It builds trust and credibility with your existing and potential customers.
  • Being able to apply for loans and grants with your business name.
  • You qualify to receive NYSC interns from the federal government.
  • Business registration is the first step to building a structure for your business.
  • It prevents being held responsible for any civil wrong committed by the business
  • You can easily apply for a visa to travel for business meetings, workshops and conferences

See Also: How to Sell Digital Products in Nigeria That Makes $10,000 Monthly

 

3 Quick Steps To Register a Business Name in Nigeria

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to register your business in Nigeria with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

It includes three key phases:

1. Account Creation

2. Name Reservations

3. Name Registration

Now let’s take a look at each of them in depth

 

1. Account Creation

Creating account on CAC registration Portal

You need to register an account with the corporate affairs commission CAC to access its portal.

Account creation is completely free.

To do that:

  1. Log on to pre.cac.gov.ng.
  2. Click on the registration button in the top right corner of your screen.
  3. Fill in your right details
  4. Then click register.

After clicking on the registration button

  1. You will get a verification link in your email
  2. Click on it to verify your email.

Now that your account registration on the portal is successful, you can proceed to register your business.

 

2. Name Reservation

Business name reservation in Nigeria

The second step to register your business name in Nigeria is ‘name availability search.

The aim is to check if the name you want to register your business with is available and not already in use.

To do that:

  1. Go to cac.gov.ng
  2. Log on to your dashboard with your username and password
  3. Then click on the new name reservation.
  4. Under name and type, choose the classification of your business.
  5. Then click Save and Continue.

The next step is to objective

  1. Under the objective section, fill in the new incorporation as a reason for the availability search.
  2. Ensure you fill in all fields marked red.
  3. Then click Save and Continue to preview.

Preview the details and make sure all your details are void of errors.

Payment-for-CAC-business-name-reservation in Nigeria

You will be required to pay the sum of N500, to do that click pay by Remita to receive payment.

On the Remita page, you will see a list of different payment methods choose the one most appropriate to you and pay.

After successful payment, you will be automatically redirected to your dashboard where your reservation will enter pending.

Note that you have a maximum of 60 days after application to reserve the proposed business name.

In addition, after 60 days the application will be cancelled.

See Also: 15 Legit Passive Income Ideas in Nigeria to Make Extra 500K Monthly

 

3. Name Registration

Company registration with CAC in Nigeria

Now that we have your business name reservation successful, let’s proceed to register the business name.

After successful approval, you will receive an email.

When you log in to your dashboard, you will see reserved,

  1. Click on it and it will bring up your approval history.
  2. The next step is to click on start registration beside your approved name and start registration.
  3. On the business details, enter your correct business details
  4. Then click on Save and Continue.

Under particulars of proprietors

  1. Enter the particulars of each proprietor
  2. Click Save and Continue.

Under the nature of business

  1. Fill in the right details and make sure you fill in the business description in “other nature of business description”,
  2. Click Save and Continue.

Next

  1. Upload all required documents
  2. Click Save and Continue to preview your entries.

Also, make sure you go review all the information carefully to avoid registering the wrong information.

CAC-Business-Name-Reservation-Payment-Reciept

Next

  1. Click on receipt payment to pay for your registration.
  2. After payment, remember to stay on the payment page as you will be automatically redirected to your dashboard to download the receipt of your payment.
  3. Download receipt of payment.

Once your registration is successful, your certificate will be automatically redirected to your registration panel where you can download your certificate.

Kaboom…Congratulations your business name has been successfully registered!

 

Requirements to Register a Business in Nigeria

After the 2020 amendment of the Company Allied and Matters Act (CAMA) by the CAC, there has been some new development on the principal laws guiding business and company formation in Nigeria.

The new requirements to register a business in Nigeria are:

  • The prospective applicant must be above 18 years. Except where there are two or more adults having shares in the business.
  • You must have two proposed names ready for registration in case one is unavailable the other can be an option.
  • A name that is already in use cannot be registered by another company, this also includes a name related to any government agency.
  • The objective of your business must be clearly stated when applying for your business name
  • You must indicate the type of business. Either is a private limited company, a private unlimited company or a company limited by guarantee.
  • The physical and verifiable address is a must, even if you write just any address they will verify it.
  • The share owned by each partner must be clearly stated.
  • You must provide a means of identification. Such as a voter’s card, national ID, driver’s license or international passport.

See Also: How to Start a Profitable POS Business in Nigeria and Win

 

How Much Does it Take to Register a Business Name in Nigeria?

Name reservation for prospective business owners is now N1000

The registration fee of a private company with a share capital less than N1m is N10,000

The registration amount for a private company with a share capital of more than N1m and up to N500m is N5,000 for every 1m shares of the company.

While of a private company of above N500m share capital costs N7,500 for every 1m shares of the company.

Public company registration for the first N1m share capital or fewer costs N20,000

Lastly, registration of a company not having a share capital costs N20,000.

Conclusion

Lastly, you have all the information on how to register a business name in Nigeria. Also importantly, how to implement it.

Please note that you do not need to hire the services of a legal practitioner or any other third party to register your business name.

You can do it yourself.

In addition to getting a business name, endeavour to get your unique Tax Identification Number (TIN). It is a requirement that every business pays tax.

This will help you avoid any hassles while trying to access a loan for your business.

Harrison Acha is a Digital Marketing Expert, Seasoned Blogger, Facebook Marketing Expert, Writer, SEO Expert, and Digital Content Creator. Have been in the IT industry for more than a decade, and helping both tech and non-tech professionals become more productive and less frustrated with technology. Follow me on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

PrimeGate Digital is a Result Driven Blog that strives to go beyond ‘Conventional Digital Marketing’ through digital innovation and performance marketing. We have experience working with world class brands and products.

 

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