How to Register a Company with CAC in Nigeria (2026)
Quick Answer: To register a company with CAC in Nigeria, you choose your business structure, search for name availability on the CAC portal, complete the online registration form, upload your documents, pay the fees, and wait for your Certificate of Incorporation. The whole process can take 5–14 business days online. Lint can handle the full registration — ₦30,000 for a Business Name (Sole Proprietorship) or from ₦38,500 for a Private Limited Company (LTD), with your TIN bundled in. [SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)]
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What You’ll Need
Before you start, get these ready:
For a Business Name (Sole Proprietorship):
- Valid government-issued ID (NIN slip, international passport, or driver’s licence)
- Proposed business name (have 2–3 options ready — your first choice may be taken)
- Business address
- Nature of business (what you actually do)
For a Private Limited Company (LTD):
- All of the above, plus:
- Minimum of 2 directors (names, addresses, signatures)
- Minimum of 2 shareholders
- Memorandum and Articles of Association (MEMART)
- Share capital amount (this affects your fees)
- Passport photographs of directors
Estimated Costs:
| Structure | CAC Fee via Lint |
|---|---|
| Business Name (Sole Prop) | ₦30,000 |
| Private Limited Company (LTD) | ₦10,000 per ₦1M share capital + ₦21,000 + ₦7,500 |
| Incorporated Trustee (NGO/Church) | ₦51,000 |
| Company Limited by Guarantee | ₦51,000 |
[SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)]
Lint handles this for you — registration fees above are processed through Lint, with your TIN bundled in the same registration. [SOURCE: Lint pricing document]
Estimated Timeline: 5–14 business days (online, all documents correct and ready).
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Step-by-Step: How to Register a Company with CAC
Step 1: Decide Which Business Structure You Need
This is the decision most people rush — and get wrong.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
- Business Name (Sole Proprietorship): You’re the sole owner. Fast, cheap, and the most common starting point. One person runs it all.
- Private Limited Company (LTD): Separate legal entity from you. Can have multiple shareholders and directors. Better for raising funds, signing major contracts, or bringing in partners.
- Incorporated Trustee (NGO/Church/Association): For non-profit organisations. Separate legal status, required for receiving grants.
- Company Limited by Guarantee: Similar to an NGO — used by professional bodies and associations.
My take: If you’re a solo founder just getting started, go Business Name first. If you’re building something with co-founders or chasing investor money, go LTD from day one. Changing structures later is possible — just not free.
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Step 2: Search for Name Availability
Before you fall in love with your business name, check that it’s available.
Go to the CAC public portal at pre.cac.gov.ng [SOURCE: CAC public registration portal] and run a name search. The system will tell you if the name is taken or too similar to an existing one.
Pro tip: Avoid generic names like “Global Solutions Nigeria” or “Prime Ventures.” CAC rejects names that are too similar to existing ones or too vague. Have at least 3 options ready before you start.
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Step 3: Create an Account on the CAC Portal
Head to icrp.cac.gov.ng — the integrated CAC registration portal. You’ll need to create an account before you can file anything.
Use an active email address you actually check. CAC sends status updates and approval notices to that email.
Common mistake: People use a Gmail address they rarely check and miss approval notifications. Set a reminder to check that inbox every 2 days during the process.
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Step 4: Complete the Online Registration Form
Once logged in, select your business structure and complete the pre-registration form:
- Business Name: Form CAC-BN01
- Private Limited Company: Form CAC 1.1 (with MEMART)
- Incorporated Trustee: Form CAC IT01
Fill in your proposed name, business address, nature of business, directors/shareholders details, and share capital (for LTD).
Pro tip: For LTD registrations, your MEMART must be correctly drafted — errors here are one of the top reasons for rejection. If you’re not using a lawyer or an agent, use CAC’s template MEMART available on the portal as a starting point.
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Step 5: Upload Your Documents
Upload scanned copies of all required documents. File requirements per structure:
- Business Name: Valid ID, passport photo, signature
- LTD: Valid IDs for all directors, passport photos, signed MEMART, statement of share capital
- Incorporated Trustee: Constitution of the body, list of trustees, minutes of meeting
Common mistake: Low-resolution scans. CAC’s system will reject blurry uploads. Scan at minimum 200 DPI. A free scanner app on your phone (like Adobe Scan) works fine.
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Step 6: Pay the Registration Fees
After submitting your form, the portal generates your payment reference. Pay via the Remita platform linked on the CAC portal.
For a Private Limited Company, fees are calculated as ₦10,000 per ₦1M of share capital, plus ₦21,000 stamp duty, plus ₦7,500 in other levies. [SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)] [SOURCE: Lint pricing document]
Keep your payment receipt. You’ll need it if anything goes wrong.
Pro tip: Don’t undercapitalise just to save on fees. Your share capital affects how your company is perceived by banks and clients. Talk to your accountant before you decide.
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Step 7: Monitor Your Application
Log back into the CAC portal regularly to check your application status. CAC typically processes within 5–14 business days if all your documents are in order.
If your application is queried (rejected for a fix), you’ll get an email. Log in, correct what’s flagged, and resubmit. One correction round usually adds 3–5 days.
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Step 8: Download Your Certificate
Once approved, download your Certificate of Incorporation (or Certificate of Registration for Business Names) directly from the CAC portal.
Your TIN (Tax Identification Number) is bundled in the same registration — you don’t need a separate trip to FIRS. [SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)] [SOURCE: Lint pricing document]
Print it and keep a certified copy safe. Banks and clients will ask for it.
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Full Cost Breakdown
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Business Name (Sole Prop) | ₦30,000 | Via Lint — TIN included |
| LTD — per ₦1M share capital | ₦10,000 | Stamp duty applies |
| LTD — stamp duty | ₦21,000 | Fixed charge |
| LTD — other levies | ₦7,500 | Fixed charge |
| Incorporated Trustee (NGO/Church) | ₦51,000 | Via Lint — TIN included |
| Company Limited by Guarantee | ₦51,000 | Via Lint — TIN included |
[SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)]
[SOURCE: Lint pricing document]
Skip the queue: Lint handles the full CAC registration for you — correct forms, right fees, TIN bundled. Start at lint.finance.
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Common Mistakes Nigerian Business Owners Make
1. Registering a Business Name when they need an LTD
If you plan to take on partners, raise money, or sign major B2B contracts, a Business Name won’t cut it. Banks and serious clients want to see an LTD. Don’t squeeze out of ₦38,500 only to redo the whole process 8 months later.
2. Using a personal email address for CAC that they later abandon
Your CAC account is tied to that email address. Regulatory notices, annual return reminders, and queries go there. Use a business email you’ll keep.
3. Getting the MEMART wrong
A Memorandum and Articles of Association with errors is one of the most common rejection reasons for LTD applications. Either use a lawyer, or double-check against CAC’s published template before uploading.
4. Ignoring post-registration obligations
Registration is step one. After you’re incorporated, you still need to:
- File annual returns with CAC. Late filing of annual returns attracts CAC penalties of ₦3,000 per year for small companies and ₦5,000 per year for private companies other than small companies. [SOURCE: Corporate Affairs Commission fee schedule]
- Register for VAT with FIRS if your annual turnover exceeds ₦50,000,000 (raised from ₦25 million under the Nigeria Tax Act 2025) — companies above this threshold must register for VAT, while small companies with turnover ≤₦100M and fixed assets ≤₦250M are exempt from charging VAT. [SOURCE: Nigeria Tax Act 2025]
- Set up PAYE with your state IRS if you have employees
5. Thinking the TIN comes later
CAC registration via Lint bundles your TIN in the same process. [SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)] [SOURCE: Lint pricing document] You don’t need a second trip to FIRS. Many people waste days queuing at FIRS unnecessarily.
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FAQs
How much does it cost to register a company with CAC in Nigeria?
A Business Name costs ₦30,000. A Private Limited Company costs ₦10,000 per ₦1M share capital plus ₦21,000 stamp duty plus ₦7,500 in levies. An Incorporated Trustee or Company Limited by Guarantee costs ₦51,000. [SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)] [SOURCE: Lint pricing document] These are the fees when registering through Lint, with TIN bundled.
Can I register my company with CAC myself?
Yes — the CAC portal at icrp.cac.gov.ng is online and self-service. [SOURCE: CAC public registration portal] The challenge is getting the documents exactly right. One error and you’re resubmitting and adding days to the timeline. Using Lint removes that back-and-forth.
How long does CAC registration take?
Typically 5–14 business days if your documents are correct and complete on the first submission. Add 3–5 days per correction round if anything gets queried.
What documents do I need to register a company in Nigeria?
At minimum: a valid government-issued ID, your proposed business name, and your business address. For an LTD, you also need details of all directors and shareholders, a signed MEMART, and your share capital amount.
Do I need a lawyer to register with CAC?
No — it’s not legally required. But if you’re registering an LTD and drafting your own MEMART, a lawyer or an experienced agent will save you from common errors that cause rejection.
What is the difference between a Business Name and a Private Limited Company?
A Business Name (Sole Proprietorship) is not a separate legal entity from you — the business and the owner are legally the same. A Private Limited Company is a distinct legal entity: it can own property, sign contracts, and take on debt in its own name. LTDs also allow multiple shareholders and directors.
Does registering with CAC give me a TIN automatically?
Yes — when you register through Lint, your TIN is bundled in the same registration. [SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)] [SOURCE: Lint pricing document] No separate FIRS visit needed.
What happens if I don’t file annual returns after registering?
CAC requires all registered businesses to file annual returns. Late filing of annual returns attracts CAC penalties of ₦3,000 per year for small companies and ₦5,000 per year for private companies other than small companies, and persistent failure can eventually lead to your company being struck off the register. [SOURCE: Corporate Affairs Commission fee schedule]
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Related Tools
- Lint Business Registration → — Register your business name or company, TIN bundled, no paperwork chasing
- Lint Payroll → — Once you’re registered and hiring, automate salary, tax, and pension with Lint Payroll — ₦500 per employee per payroll run
- Free PAYE Calculator → — Work out take-home pay, PAYE, pension, and rent relief in seconds
- CAC Public Search → — Check if your business name is available before you apply [SOURCE: CAC public registration portal]
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The real cost of CAC registration isn’t the fees. It’s the hours you spend figuring out which form, which portal, and why your upload was rejected. That’s time you could spend on your actual business.
Register your business through Lint — correct documents, right fees, TIN included. lint.finance
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Last updated: May 2026
Sources: CAC public registration portal (pre.cac.gov.ng); Lint pricing document (lint.finance)
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Related on Lint
- Free PAYE Calculator (2026) — see take-home pay, tax and pension in seconds.
- Lint Payroll — run salary, PAYE, pension and salary advances in one funded run.
