How to Register a Business Name in Nigeria (2026)

Business name registration in Nigeria is one of those things that suddenly becomes urgent — a big client wants a proper invoice, your bank asks for a CAC certificate, or you’re applying for a loan and your books need to be clean. Whatever triggered it, you’re in the right place.

Here’s the short version: you register through CAC’s online portal, pay the government fee, and get your certificate. The full version — with the actual steps, real costs, and mistakes to avoid — is below.

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Quick Answer

Business name registration (Sole Proprietorship) in Nigeria is done through the CAC iCRP portal at pre.cac.gov.ng. Lint handles the whole process for ₦30,000 [SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)] — and your Tax Identification Number (TIN) is bundled in the same registration. [SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)]

If you’re doing it yourself, budget ₦10,000–₦15,000 in government fees plus time. If you want it done for you without the back-and-forth, Lint registers your business name and TIN together, end to end.

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What You’ll Need

Documents required:

• Valid government-issued ID (NIN slip, National ID card, Voter’s card, or International Passport)
• Personal details: full name, date of birth, address, phone number, email
• Your proposed business name (have 2–3 options ready in case your first choice is taken)
• Nature of business / business activity description
• Business address (can be your home address to start)

Estimated cost: ₦10,000–₦15,000 in government fees (DIY) or ₦30,000 through Lint [SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)] [SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)]

Estimated timeline: 3–10 business days (CAC processing times vary)

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Step-by-Step: Business Name Registration in Nigeria

Step 1: Check If Your Business Name Is Available

Before anything else, search the CAC portal to confirm your preferred name isn’t already taken.

Go to pre.cac.gov.ng and use the name availability search tool. [SOURCE: CAC public registration portal] Try your top 3 name options — this saves you from starting the application with a name that gets rejected.

Pro tip: Avoid names that are too generic (like “Nigeria Trading Company”) or too similar to existing registered names. CAC will reject both.

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Step 2: Create a CAC Account on the iCRP Portal

If you don’t already have one, create an account on the iCRP portal (pre.cac.gov.ng). [SOURCE: CAC public registration portal]

You’ll need your email address and phone number. Once registered, log in and select “Business Name Registration” from the dashboard.

Common mistake: Many people try to use an old CAC portal link and end up on a deprecated page. The current portal is pre.cac.gov.ng. Bookmark it.

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Step 3: Complete the Pre-Registration Form (CAC-BN01)

This is the main application form. Fill in:

• Your proposed business name (in order of preference)
• Nature of business
• Principal place of business
• Proprietor’s personal details
• Upload your ID document

Be accurate here. Errors on this form cause delays — CAC will kick it back for correction, which adds days to your timeline.

Pro tip: Your business address doesn’t have to be a commercial office. A residential address is accepted for sole proprietorships.

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Step 4: Pay the Registration Fee

After submitting the form, the portal generates a payment reference. Pay via the Remita gateway on the portal — card payment or bank transfer both work.

The CAC government fee for business name registration is ₦10,000, plus a ₦500 name reservation/search fee. [SOURCE: Corporate Affairs Commission fee schedule]

Common mistake: Paying before your name is confirmed as available. Always confirm availability in Step 1 first — refunds from Remita are slow.

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Step 5: Submit and Wait for Approval

Once payment is confirmed, your application goes into the CAC review queue. Processing typically takes 3–10 business days, though it can be faster.

You’ll get an email notification when your certificate is ready. Download your Certificate of Registration from the portal — this is your proof of registration.

Pro tip: Save a PDF copy and a physical print. Banks, clients, and government agencies will ask for this at different points.

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Step 6: Collect Your TIN

Your Tax Identification Number (TIN) is issued alongside CAC registration. Business registration through Lint bundles the TIN in the same registration process [SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)] [SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)] — so you get both without a separate FIRS trip.

If you registered directly through CAC, you don’t need a separate TIN trip: from 2026, a registered business’s CAC number serves as its corporate Tax ID, so registration delivers your tax identity automatically. [SOURCE: Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025; NRS]

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Cost Breakdown

Item	DIY Cost	Via Lint	Notes
CAC government fee	₦10,000 + ₦500 name reservation	Included	Set by CAC [SOURCE: Corporate Affairs Commission fee schedule]
TIN issuance	₦0	Included	Bundled with CAC registration
Agent/service fee	Varies	—	Lint handles end-to-end
Total (Lint)	—	₦30,000	[SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)]

Lint registers your business name (Sole Proprietorship) for ₦30,000 — TIN bundled in the same registration. [SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)] [SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)]

Want Lint to handle it? Start your business registration on Lint →

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Common Mistakes Nigerian Business Owners Make

1. Skipping the name search

Going straight to payment without checking availability is the most common reason applications get delayed. Do the search first — it takes 2 minutes.

2. Using a personal account for business

Your GTBank or Access Bank personal account is not a substitute for a registered business. Banks and clients will ask for your CAC certificate before opening a proper business account or processing vendor payments.

3. Registering the wrong entity type

A business name (Sole Proprietorship) is simple and fast. But if you’re bringing in a co-founder or raising investment, you need a Private Limited Company (LTD) instead. Know what you need before you register — changing it later costs money and time. Lint also handles Private Limited Company registration and Incorporated Trustee (NGO) registration. [SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)] [SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)]

4. Letting the registration lapse

A registered business name in Nigeria must file annual returns with CAC every year, and late filing of a business-name annual return attracts a ₦2,500 per-year penalty. [SOURCE: Corporate Affairs Commission fee schedule] Many founders forget — and find out when a client asks for a current certificate.

5. Not separating business and personal finances after registering

Registration is step one. The real work is opening a dedicated business account and tracking business expenses separately. Lint helps with this too — link your bank account (first account is free), sync transactions, and track business expenses automatically. [SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)] [SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)]

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Is Business Name Registration Worth It?

Yes. And here’s my take: the CAC certificate is not just a legal box to tick. It’s what unlocks real business infrastructure — a proper business account, the ability to invoice formally, access to government contracts and loans, and credibility with serious clients.

The real cost of staying unregistered isn’t the ₦30,000 fee. It’s the deals you don’t close because you can’t provide a proper invoice.

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FAQs

How much does business name registration cost in Nigeria in 2026?

The CAC government fee for a business name is ₦10,000, plus a ₦500 name reservation/search fee. [SOURCE: Corporate Affairs Commission fee schedule] If you use Lint, the total cost is ₦30,000, which includes your TIN in the same registration. [SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)] [SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)]

Is business name registration the same as CAC registration?

Yes. Registering a business name in Nigeria means registering with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). “CAC registration” is the common shorthand. [SOURCE: CAC public registration portal]

How long does it take to register a business name in Nigeria?

Business name registration is largely automated and is often approved the same day — sometimes almost instantly — once payment is confirmed, though timelines vary; confirm current timelines on cac.gov.ng. [SOURCE: Corporate Affairs Commission]

Can I register my business name online?

Yes. The entire process is done online through the CAC iCRP portal at pre.cac.gov.ng. [SOURCE: CAC public registration portal] You don’t need to visit a CAC office in most cases.

Do I need a TIN separately after registering?

If you register through Lint, your TIN is issued as part of the same process. Business registration via Lint bundles TIN issuance. [SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)] [SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)] If you register directly through CAC, check your documents or follow up with FIRS.

What’s the difference between a business name and a Private Limited Company (LTD)?

A business name (Sole Proprietorship) is owned by one person and is the simplest structure. An LTD is a separate legal entity, can have multiple shareholders, and is required for most investment and formal corporate contracts. Lint handles both — ₦30,000 for a business name, and LTD registration is also available. [SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)] [SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)]

What happens if my proposed business name is already taken?

CAC will reject the application. That’s why checking availability before paying is critical. Have 2–3 name options ready before you start.

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After You Register: What’s Next

Registration is the foundation. Once you have your CAC certificate:

1. Open a business bank account — GTBank, Access, Zenith, and most commercial banks require your CAC certificate.

2. Link your account on Lint — the first bank account link is free. [SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)] [SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)]

3. Set up automated payments — automate bill payments, airtime and data purchases, and bank transfers directly from Lint. [SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)] [SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)]

4. Run payroll if you have staff — Lint handles payroll disbursement and PAYE tax disbursement. [SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)] [SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)]

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Related Tools

• Lint Business Registration → — Register your business name and get your TIN in one step
• Lint Payroll → — Run payroll and PAYE from the same dashboard
• Free PAYE Calculator → — Work out take-home pay, PAYE, pension, and rent relief in seconds
• CAC iCRP Portal → — Official CAC registration portal [SOURCE: CAC public registration portal]

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Written by the Lint editorial team. Last updated: May 2026.
Official sources: CAC iCRP Portal SOURCE: CAC public registration portal] | [lint.finance
Pricing verified against Lint pricing document (last updated 2026-04-26). [SOURCE: Lint pricing (source of truth)]

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