Business registration
How to Register a Business Name on CAC Portal Online in Nigeria
Follow the business-name application route from name reservation to proprietor uploads, payment, queries and approved documents, with preparation checks before each step.
To register a business name online in Nigeria, use CAC's official registration system, reserve the proposed name and complete the business-name application with accurate proprietor information. Keep the reservation and application references together throughout the process.
Before opening the application
Confirm that a business name fits your ownership and intended activities. It does not create the same legal structure as a limited company. If you expect investors or multiple ownership interests, first read business name versus limited company.
Prepare the business address, contact details, commencement information and proprietor records. CAC's iCRP guidance identifies identity evidence, a photograph and signature among the proprietor uploads. Use clear files and review the current portal instructions for accepted formats.
Reserve the name
Use the business-name classification and describe the business activity accurately. Keep the approved reservation reference or AV Code for the next stage. Availability in the corporate registry should not be mistaken for trademark clearance.
Do not pay for packaging or signage on the assumption that a search result is final registration approval.
Complete the registration application
The iCRP guidance describes starting a new business registration with the reservation code, entering business particulars and adding proprietor information and documents.
Work from a single preparation sheet. Check names against identification and confirm the contact details are active. If there are several proprietors, obtain and review each person's information before submission.
Review, pay and track
Read the preview rather than clicking straight through it. Compare the business name, activities, address and proprietor details with your records. Use the payment route provided by CAC and retain evidence.
Follow the existing application on the dashboard. A payment receipt, submitted application and approval are different stages. If queried, read the exact reason and correct the relevant information in that application.
Download the approved documents
When approved, use the dashboard action for the certificate and status report. Review both and keep secure copies. A registration document is more useful when the proprietor knows where it is and can supply it when needed.
See what to do after CAC registration for banking, tax and continuing compliance planning.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply without an agent?
CAC states that proprietors can register business names directly. Independent professional help is optional and should have a clear scope.
Does an instant online process guarantee my application?
No. Your submitted information, payment and the regulator's checks still matter. Do not make commercial commitments based on an assumed approval time.
What if my application is queried?
Read the query, preserve the reference and respond through the relevant dashboard action. Avoid paying for a duplicate application before understanding the issue.
Get the preparation right
Ask Creda for business registration support with your proposed name, activities and proprietor information. Request a clear explanation of official charges and optional service fees.
Sources
Reviewed on 28 October 2026.
Join the conversation
Share a brief thought or question about this article.
No comments yet. Be the first to share a thought.
Suggested for you
Business registration
How to Keep a Business Registration Project Moving With Two Founders
Agree how the founders will resolve decisions and provide documents. A single timeline helps prevent the application from waiting indefinitely between separate conversations.
9 November 2026
Business registration
How to Handle a CAC Query Without Losing the Original Instruction
To handle a CAC query, preserve the original filing instruction, record the exact requested change, submit one controlled correction, and compare the final preview with the original before resubmitting.
9 November 2026
Business registration
What Happens If My CAC Name Reservation Expires?
An expired reservation should not be treated as a live entitlement to register that name. Check its current status and the available official route. Availability may change, so do not assume you can simply reuse an old approval code.
9 November 2026