Acquiring Nigerian Businesses by Sector: Licences, Assets and Due Diligence

A factory, hospital, software company and licensed financial institution cannot be evaluated through the same checklist alone. Each may have valuable operations, but each also has different dependencies, obligations and approval requirements. A sector-specific acquisition mandate helps identify those questions early.

Wigmore Trading welcomes business-search and introduction enquiries across Nigerian sectors, subject to the actual mandate and available support. The examples below describe diligence themes, not businesses currently for sale. No licence, investment return or verified deal inventory is promised.

Industrial, agricultural and logistics businesses

Buying a factory building is different from acquiring an operating manufacturing company. Identify what is included: land, equipment, inventory, contracts, employees and liabilities. Test operational claims through appropriate site and records review.

Technology, retail and hospitality

For technology, software and e-commerce businesses, assess intellectual-property ownership, software licences, cybersecurity, customer retention and dependence on key developers or platforms. A large user count does not establish sustainable revenue.

For retail, supermarkets, hotels, restaurants and franchises, examine leases, brand rights, stock, sales records, staffing and the consents needed for the proposed transaction. A franchise agreement or key lease may not transfer automatically to a new owner.

Regulated sectors need an explicit approval plan

Banking, microfinance, fintech, insurance, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications and energy can involve specialised licensing and ownership controls. Engage appropriate legal and regulatory advisers before assuming that purchasing shares transfers an unrestricted operating right.

The Central Bank of Nigeria provides official banking information, while the FCCPC merger-review resources and SEC M&A guidance support discussion of applicable transaction processes. These sources do not replace advice on the specific deal or establish that every transaction follows the same route.

Oil and gas targets may require asset, licence, contract, environmental and abandonment-liability review. Education and healthcare businesses also need review of premises, professional staffing and operating permissions. For law, accounting and other professional practices, ownership and professional rules need specialist assessment.

Do not confuse registration with clearance

A CAC-registered company can still have unresolved tax, debt, litigation, title or compliance issues. “Licensed company for sale” is a claim to verify against the relevant authority, exact entity, current status and proposed change of control.

Ask what a broker means by “prequalified,” “verified,” “exclusive” or “off-market.” Establish who checked the information, how recently and with what limitations.

Prepare an actionable search brief

State sector, location, size range, stake sought, essential assets, management needs and funding status. Identify whether you need a company, defined assets or a commercial partnership. A focused brief is more useful than a request for every profitable business in Nigeria.

Can Wigmore provide a list of licensed companies for sale?

Ask what opportunities are available under an authorised mandate. No such live list is represented on this page.

Should I pay before seeing diligence evidence?

Have qualified advisers review the process, authority and proposed commitments. An introduction is not a substitute for verification or a basis for unreviewed transaction payments.

Related guides

• Mergers and Acquisitions in Nigeria: Advisory and Deal-Readiness Guide
• Buy a Business in Nigeria: Acquisition Search and Due-Diligence Planning
• Sell Your Business in Nigeria: Confidential Sale and Buyer-Search Planning

Updated 2 November 2026. Availability, pricing, documentation and the actual service scope require confirmation for the particular enquiry.