Prerequisites to Gather First

• A Valid Government ID: Your National Identification Number (NIN) is highly recommended. You can also use an International Passport, Driver’s License, or Voter’s Card. Crucial: Ensure your name is spelled exactly on the portal as it appears on your ID.

• Passport Photograph: Clear, digital copy on a plain background.

• Proof of Address: A recent utility bill (NEPA/PHCN bill, waste management bill, or water bill) for your registered office address.

• Your Signature: Scan a clean signature on a blank white piece of paper.

• 2 to 3 Business Name Options: Think of unique names. Generic terms like “Global Ventures” or “Standard Services” will get rejected instantly.

Step-by-Step Registration Process

Step 1: Preliminary Public Search (Free)

Before paying any money, check if your proposed name is completely obvious or already taken.

1. Go to the public search portal via cac.gov.ng and select Public Search.

2. Type in your desired name. If an exact or highly similar match pops up, change your name option.

Step 2: Account Creation & MFA Setup

1. Visit the portal at icrp.cac.gov.ng and click Create Account.

2. Enter your details (including phone number and email) or use your NIN for instant verification.

3. MFA Setup: Secure your login. You will need to download the Google Authenticator app on your phone, scan the QR code displayed on the portal, and enter the 6-digit verification code to complete your login.

Step 3: Name Search and Reservation

1. Once logged in, navigate to Name Reservation.

2. Input your primary name choice and at least one alternative name. Select your classification (Business Name or Limited Liability Company).

3. Pay the ₦500 reservation fee online via Remita (using card, USSD, or bank transfer).

4. Wait for approval. This usually takes 24 to 48 hours. If approved, you will receive an Availability Code. Your name is now locked down for 60 days.

Step 4: Complete the Registration Application

Once your name is approved, log back in, go to your dashboard, look for the approved name, and click Action -> Register.

Fill in the multi-part digital forms carefully:

• Business Details: Enter your registered office address in Nigeria, email, phone number, and a brief description of your business activities.

• Proprietor/Director Details: Enter full legal names, addresses, and ID numbers. If you are registering an LLC, you must add at least one Director and details of Shareholders.

• Share Capital (For Companies Only): Allocate your shares. The standard minimum for a small private company is 1,000,000 shares (e.g., divided into 1,000,000 shares at ₦1 each). State who owns what percentage.

• MEMART (For Companies Only): Generate your Memorandum and Articles of Association directly on the portal using the standard CAC template, adjusting the specific business objectives to match your startup.

Step 5: Document Upload

Upload your scanned prerequisites to the portal:

• Valid ID cards (front and back).

• Passport photographs.

• Scanned signatures.

• Proof of address (utility bills).

Step 6: Payment of Filing and Stamp Duty Fees

The system will calculate your total fees based on your business type:

• Business Name: Standard official filing fee is ₦10,000.

• Limited Liability Company: Fees start around ₦10,000 for a 1M share capital company, plus Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) stamp duties (usually a small percentage of your share capital, roughly ₦3,500 to ₦5,000 for a 1M share capital).

• Pay online via the Remita gateway integrated into the portal.

Step 7: Final Submission and Download

1. Review the application summary page meticulously. A typo here will attract a “Query” from the registrar and stall your application.

2. Click Submit Application.

3. Download Certificate: Monitor the status under “My Applications.” Once approved, your status will change to Registered. You can then download your official Certificate of Registration/Incorporation, the Status Report, and MEMART (if applicable) directly as a PDF. Hardcopies are no longer posted; the e-certificate with its QR code is your legally binding document.

Common Trap: If you pay through Remita and the CAC portal still says “Payment Pending,” do not pay twice. Click the “Check Payment Status” button on the portal or wait up to 24 hours for the payment gateway and the CAC system to synchronize automatically.