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Company Registration in Nigeria

Company registration · Nigeria

From business idea to RC number.

Check your proposed company name against CAC rules and the official register in under a minute, pick the right structure, and have our desk file it — transparent all-in pricing with the government’s cut itemised, digital certificate and TIN at the end.

Check if my name is takenSee registration pricing

The name checker

Is your company name still free?

We test your name against CAC naming rules instantly, then check it against the official register.

Your proposed name

Full screen on cac.gov.ng ↗ Check it for me — free

✓ Name copied — paste it into the CAC search box

Official CAC public search · icrp.cac.gov.ngFull screen ↗

If the box above stays blank or shows an error: CAC’s portal either blocks embedding in your browser or is down for maintenance (it happens more than you’d hope). No wahala — use Full screen ↗ with your name copied, or tap Check it for me and our desk runs the search against the register and replies on WhatsApp.
How this works, honestly: the rule checks above run instantly in your browser. Final availability is decided only by CAC’s register — open the official search right here on this page (your name copies with one tap, ready to paste), or have our desk run the search and reply on WhatsApp. Pro tip: prepare two names — CAC asks for a first choice and a backup.

Structures & pricing

Pick the right vehicle. Pay a fair, visible price.

All-in prices include CAC’s official fees, stamp duty where applicable, and our filing service — no “processing fee” surprises at the end.

Simplest start

Business Name

Sole proprietors, artisans, traders and freelancers — trade legally, open a business bank account, look professional.

LiabilityPersonal — you are the business
Typical timeline3–7 working days
Compliance loadLight — annual returns
₦35,000 all-inIncludes CAC fees & name reservation
Register a Business Name
Most popular

Private Limited Company (Ltd)

The proper company: separate legal person, limited liability, the structure banks, investors and serious contracts expect.

LiabilityLimited to the company
Typical timeline3–10 working days
Share capital₦1,000,000 standard
₦95,000 all-inIncludes CAC fees, stamp duty & reservation
Register a Limited Company
Non-profit

Incorporated Trustees (NGO)

Foundations, associations, churches and clubs — the legal wrapper for non-profit work, grants and structured giving.

LiabilityVested in trustees
Typical timeline4–8 weeks incl. publication
ExtrasNewspaper publication required
from ₦180,000 quotedIncludes CAC fees & publications
Register an NGO

Where the ₦95,000 goes — Private Ltd, ₦1m share capital

CAC registration fee (official)₦30,000
FIRS stamp duty (0.75% of share capital)₦7,500
Name reservation & portal charges~₦5,500
Our service: name search, document preparation, filing, follow-up to certificate₦52,000
All-in, certificate & TIN delivered₦95,000
Fine print, upfront: official fees follow CAC’s current gazetted schedule and change occasionally — if CAC’s fees move, the government lines above move with them and we show you the revised total in writing before you pay. Higher share capital, foreign shareholders (minimum ₦100m share capital applies) and special-consent names are quoted individually. Diaspora clients can pay in USD via our pay-online page.

The process

Five steps, mostly ours.

STEP 1Two names inYou send a first choice and a backup — we run the searches properly.
STEP 2Name reservedYour available name is reserved with CAC before anyone else fancies it.
STEP 3Documents preparedWe draft the filings; you provide IDs and sign — usually all on your phone.
STEP 4Filed & trackedSubmission to CAC with our desk chasing it, not you refreshing a portal.
STEP 5Certificate & TINDigital certificate, status report and tax identification — ready for the bank.

What you’ll need to hand

Two proposed namesValid ID (NIN slip, passport or driver’s licence)Phone number & emailBusiness addressPassport photographDirectors/partners’ details (for Ltd)

Straight answers

Asked before every registration.

Business Name or Limited Company — which should I register?
Business Name if you’re trading small, solo and want the cheapest legal start; Limited Company if you want your personal assets separated from business risk, plan to take investment, or deal with clients who require a “proper” company. Many people start with a Business Name and incorporate later — that’s a legitimate path, and we’ll tell you which your situation supports rather than defaulting you to the pricier option.
How long does registration actually take?
With clean documents and an available name: business names typically 3–7 working days, limited companies 3–10, and NGOs 4–8 weeks because of the mandatory publication period. The honest variables are CAC’s queue and name objections — which is exactly why we ask for two names and chase the filing daily.
Why did the name checker pass my name but CAC rejected it?
Because the browser checks test CAC’s rules (restricted words, format), while CAC alone decides availability and similarity — a name can be perfectly formed yet too close to an existing registration. That’s not a flaw, it’s the law working as designed; it’s also why the backup name exists, and why our free WhatsApp check against the register is worth thirty seconds before you fall in love with a name.
Can foreigners own a Nigerian company?
Yes — 100% foreign ownership is permitted, but companies with foreign shareholders require a minimum share capital of ₦100 million and additional registrations (and typically business permits). It’s a well-trodden path we handle regularly for market entrants; budget more than the standard local package and start with a conversation rather than a form.
Do I get a TIN? What about after registration?
Your Tax Identification Number is issued alongside modern CAC registrations, and we deliver it with your certificate — it’s what the bank asks for. After registration, the obligation people forget is annual returns: a yearly CAC filing that keeps your company active and penalty-free. We’ll remind you, and can file it for you.
Is your price really all-in?
Yes, for the standard packages shown: government fees, stamp duty, reservation and our service, itemised so you can see the government’s share. What’s honestly excluded: higher share capital than stated, special-consent names, foreign shareholding, and post-registration extras like SCUML or sector licences — each quoted in writing before any work starts.

Wigmore Trading is a private service provider, not the Corporate Affairs Commission; registrations are prepared and filed through CAC’s official channels and accredited professionals. Official fees cited reflect CAC’s current published schedule and FIRS stamp duty rates as of July 2026 and are subject to change by the authorities; where official fees change, revised totals are confirmed in writing before payment. Name availability is determined solely by CAC.

The name won’t wait

Good company names get taken. Check yours today.

Run the checker, send us your two names, and be certificate-in-hand within days — price agreed in writing before a naira moves.

Check my name now Start on WhatsApp

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