Incorporating Your Company in Nigeria: CAC Registration Guide 2026

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has moved most of its processes online, and company registration in Nigeria is faster today than it has ever been. Yet the speed of the portal has not eliminated the cost of getting it wrong — an incorrectly structured company, a poorly drafted constitution, or an unusable name can cost you weeks and real money. Here is what a proper incorporation looks like in 2026.

Choose the Right Business Structure

• —Business name (sole proprietorship) — for individuals trading in their own capacity
• —Partnership — two or more persons sharing profits and liabilities
• —Private Limited Company (Ltd) — the most common structure for serious businesses
• —Public Limited Company (PLC) — for companies raising capital from the public
• —Incorporated Trustees — for NGOs, churches and charitable organisations

Most founders should incorporate a private limited company: it is a separate legal entity, limits personal liability, and is far easier to fund, sell and scale than a business name.

Name Reservation

Before anything else, your proposed name must be searched and reserved on the CAC portal. Names that are identical or confusingly similar to an existing registration, or that contain prohibited words, will be rejected. A name reservation is valid for a limited period, so filing promptly after reservation matters.

Documents Required

• —Name reservation confirmation
• —Memorandum and Articles of Association (often filed electronically)
• —Registered office address within Nigeria
• —Details of directors and shareholders, including BVN and means of identification
• —Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) of directors where required

The Incorporation Process

• —Reserve your company name on the CAC portal
• —Prepare and file pre-incorporation documents, including the constitution
• —CAC review and approval of the application
• —Issuance of the Certificate of Incorporation and registration of the company's constitution

For straightforward filings, incorporation is commonly completed within one to three working days. Applications flagged for further review take longer — another reason to get the paperwork right the first time.

Post-Incorporation Obligations

• —Register with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and obtain your TIN
• —Set up PAYE, VAT and withholding tax obligations as applicable
• —Register with NSITF, ITF and PENCOM where you have employees
• —Open a corporate bank account
• —File annual returns with the CAC every year

Incorporation is the beginning, not the end. Companies that ignore their annual filings and tax registrations routinely find themselves locked out of contracts, visas and financing when the paperwork catches up with them.