Starting or expanding a business in Nigeria begins with one non-negotiable step: registering with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
Without it, you cannot open a corporate bank account, sign legally binding contracts, access funding, or bid for enterprise and government contracts.
With Norebase, the entire process is handled remotely, no travel required, and completed in 3–5 business days once documents are submitted.
Who Needs to Register a Company in Nigeria?
- Startups raising funding — investors require a legally registered entity before writing a cheque
- Fintechs and payment companies — /fintech-license-nigeria; CBN licensing requires a registered Nigerian company first
- Foreign companies entering Nigeria — you need a local subsidiary to operate, hire, and transact legally
- Diaspora founders — building an African arm of a UK or US-based business
- E-commerce and tech companies — banks and platforms require CAC registration before onboarding
Business Structures Available in Nigeria
- Private Limited Company (Ltd) — most popular, limited liability, preferred by investors and enterprise clients. Full foreign ownership permitted
- Public Limited Company (PLC) — for large businesses planning to list shares publicly
- Business Name — sole proprietorships and partnerships. No separate legal identity from the owner
- Incorporated Trustees — for NGOs, charities, religious bodies.
For most fintechs, startups, and foreign companies, a Private Limited Company is the correct choice.
Step-by-Step Process
- Name reservation — search and reserve your preferred company name on the CAC portal at portal.cac.gov.ng. Prepare 2–3 name options in case your first choice is taken. Timeline: same day
- Prepare documents — gather all required documents before submitting. Incomplete submissions are the most common cause of delays. Timeline: 1–2 days
- Submit application — complete and submit all forms through the CAC online portal. Pay all fees through Remita or the official payment system only. Timeline: Day 2–3
- CAC review and approval — CAC verifies documents and incorporation details. Timeline: Day 3–5
- Receive Certificate of Incorporation — CAC issues a digital certificate including your Company Registration Number (RC Number).
- Your Tax Identification Number (TIN) is generated automatically. Timeline: Day 5
- Post-incorporation — open a corporate bank account, register for VAT if applicable, and ensure you have professional /compliance-services-nigeria for sector-specific licences
Documents Required
- Valid government-issued ID for all directors and shareholders, NIN, International Passport, or Driver’s Licence
- Form CAC 1.1 — Application for Company Registration
- Memorandum and Articles of Association (MEMART)
- Details of all directors and shareholders, names, addresses, share allocation
- Physical Nigerian business address (P.O. Boxes not accepted — /virtual-address-nigeria can provide a registered address)
- Minimum share capital of ₦100,000 for local companies. Foreign-owned companies require ₦100 million minimum
- Disclosure of Persons with Significant Control (PSC), anyone holding 5%+ of shares must be declared. Mandatory in 2026
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Choosing a name already in use: always check availability before preparing documents
- Mismatched information across documents: your name on your ID must match exactly what you enter on the forms
- Blurry or low-quality document scans: CAC rejects these. Use a scanner, not a phone photo
- Using a P.O. Box as your address: a physical Nigerian address is required
- Paying through unofficial channels: all legitimate CAC payments go through Remita only
- Failing to protect your brand : ensure you look into /trademark-registration-nigeria once your name is secured.
Overview
| Details | Timeline |
| Timeline | 3–5 business days from document submission |
| Process | Fully remote, no travel to Nigeria required |
| Pricing | Contact Norebase for a quote, no hidden fees |
| Included | Name search, all CAC forms, submission, certificate, TIN |
| Post-incorporation | Registered address, bank account support, compliance filings available |
Don’t let paperwork hold back your global ambition.
Whether you are a diaspora founder, a fintech looking for CBN licensing, or a global corporation entering the Nigerian market, our experts are ready to assist you.
Start your incorporation journey today.
Visit norebase.com or reach out directly to our team at support@norebase.com for a personalized quote and expert guidance.
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