Requirements For Registering A Business Name in Nigeria

With the Inception of the NIN policy in January of 2023 as one of the mandatory requirements for registering a business name with CAC in Nigeria, many business owners have been left at six and seven.

Sequel before the inception of this policy, business owners could register and operate a business in Nigeria with just a birth certificate proving their nationality.

As it stands, you can not legally register and own a business in Nigeria if you don’t have the National Identification Number (NIN) which is being issued by the NIMC

But what about the other requirements to incorporate a business in Nigeria? this guide will keep you on the hook.

Types of Business Registration in Nigeria

The Corporate Affairs Commision is the Federal Government Agency saddled with the responsibility of regulating the formation and operation of businesses in Nigeria.

Below are the types of Business of businesses by category that can be registered under the commision.

1. Business Name

Business Name is done for small enterprises (SMEs). The ownership of a business name is usually a sole proprietorship

2. Company

A Limited liability company is a legal entity formed by a group of individuals to engage in and operate a business commercial or industrial enterprise

As compared to Business names, companies are for larger business operations. If you are finding it hard to choose between registering a Business name or a company, you should look out why Company is better than a Business name

2. Incorporated Trustee

The Incorporated Trustees are non-business and non-profit making organisations formed to facilitate the acquisition of corporate personality by a community of persons bound together by custom, religion, nationality or any association of persons established for religious, educational, literary, scientific, or social developments.

Incorporated Trustee includes NGOs, Churches, Foundations and Associations

Requirements For Registering A Business Name in Nigeria 2023

If you are a long-time business owner, or even if you are just getting into the business. Getting legal documentation could be very beneficial for your business.

Here are some snippets of things you need.

1. Business Details

The Corporate Affairs Commision will ask you to provide credible information about your business. This includes

2 Propose Business Names

Business Email (If any)

Business Phone Number

Valid Business Address (This includes State, LGA city or village, house number and street)

CAC doesn’t joke with house numbers. Make sure your address is well-descriptive and traceable enough

Nature of Business (This is what your business is all about)

Some businesses can’t be registered under BUSINESS NAME, they include schools, import and export, cryptocurrency etc.

2. Proprietor Details

Business Names are the sole proprietorship in Nature. As a One Man-Business owner, below are checklists needed from you for CAC

National Identification Number (NIN). Your NIN must be validated

Proprietor Name (Name automatically shows up from your NIN database)

Email

✅ Phone Number

Occupation

Service Address (This is also referred to as a Business address in most cases)

Residential Address (This must capture State, LGA, City or Village, House No. and street name)

List of Documents to Upload for CAC Business Name Registration

With the CAC NIN policy, some documents are no longer needed for upload. Once you input your NIN, CAC automatically captures your information in your NIN database such as your signature.

However, you need to upload your Physical NIN card (in PDF) to complete your registration

Types of Company Registration in Nigeria

There are so many broad and are registered according to the activities they carry out. Below are the types of company registrations with CAC

1. Private Limited Liability Company

2. Private Unlimited Company

3. Public Company Limited By Shares

4. Public Unlimited Shares

5. Private Company Limited By Guarantee

6. Public  Company Limited by Guarantee

CAC Requirements For Company Registration in Nigeria

With company registration being most preferred over the business name, below are some checklists to register and own a company with CAC

1. Company Details

2 Propose Company Names

The Company Email Address

Company Phone Number

Valid Company Address (This includes State, LGA city or village, house number and street)

CAC doesn’t joke with house numbers. Make sure your address is well-descriptive and traceable

Nature of Company (This is what your company is all about). A company can accommodate up to 10 business activities under its name.

✅ The Total Company Share Capital (Shares vary for different companies)

Shares Distribution

2. Directors’ Details

Note: 1 person can register and own a company. In a situation where there are 2 or more directors, they must provide the following details

National Identification Number (NIN). NIN must be validated

Director Name (Name is adopted from NIN database)

Email

DOB (Will be automatically adopted from the NIN database and you can’t change it)

✅ Phone Number

Occupation

Service Address (This is also referred to as a Company address)

Residential Address (This must capture State, LGA, City or Village, House No. and street name)

3. Shareholders

A shareholder is a person, company, or institution that owns at least one share of a company’s stock or in a mutual fund.

Shareholders must provide the necessary details as seen above.

4. Witness

A corporate witness is often an employee of the corporation with specialized access to the records of the corporation, and with enhanced knowledge of their procedures

Relevant bio details are also required from the witness for CAC registration

5. Secretary

For small companies, the services of a secretary are optional and not needed.

Documents to Upload for CAC Company Registration

With the NIN policy, you only have to upload your physical national Identity card (in a PDF file) of the directors, shareholders, witnesses and secretaries as the case might be on the CAC website.

Requirements for Incorporated Trustees

To register an Incorporated Trustee such as NGO in Nigeria, below are some checklists

1. NGO/Church/Association/Foundation Details

3 Propose Names

Description and Mission

Aims and Objectives (Could be 5)

Official Email

Registered Office Address (State; City or Village, House No. Street name)

Minimum Number of Trustees

Maximum Number of Trustees

Trustees Tenure

2. Trustees Information

Incorporated Trustee demands a minimum number of 3 Trustees. They must provide the following

  • Name
  • Email
  • Address
  • Occupation
  • DOB
  • Phone Number

3. Portfolio

This could be a Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, or even Members

Who Should Register My Business Name, Company or Trustee?

Legacy Benjamin Consult is one of the most trusted CAC consulting agencies in Nigeria. The brand offers all kinds of CAC Registrations.

Legacy Benjamin Consult

Our services are:

  • Business Name Registration
  • Company Registration
  • Trustee Registration
  • Upgrade From BN to RC
  • Post Incorporations
  • SCUML
  • Export Licence
  • Trademark

Send us a DM now on WhatsApp at 08066108299 for a speedy and seamless CAC registration.

How Will I Get My Documents?

Since the inception of the New CAC portal and CPR. All CAC documents (ORIGINAL) are sent electronically to your email and on WhatsApp.

We can also print, frame and send to you at extra cost.

Read Also:

Is Annual Returns Compulsory?

Trademark Accredited Agent Requirement

Functions of CAC

Conclusion: Requirements For Registering A Business Name in Nigeria

Conclusively, getting your brand registered with CAC is one way to keep your business on the growth trajectory. I hope this guide has provided you with the basic requirements for registering a business name, company and NGO in Nigeria.

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