CAC Business Name Search Nigeria 2026: How to Check If a Name Is Taken and Register Your Business

📌 Quick Summary: To check if a business name is already taken in Nigeria, do a free public search at publicsearch.cac.gov.ng. If your name is available, you can register it as a Business Name (sole proprietorship) through the CAC Company Registration Portal at services.cac.gov.ng for ₦10,000 — no lawyer required, entirely online, takes approximately one week. If you qualify as a small business, the free SMEDAN/CAC programme covers the registration fee for 250,000 Nigerian MSMEs — apply at portal.smedan.gov.ng. Your TIN (Tax Identification Number) is automatically generated when your business is registered. This NaijaSabi guide covers the full process step by step, the fees for every business type, who needs a lawyer and who does not, and the scam warning every Nigerian business owner must read.

Two of the most searched business questions in Nigeria every week are: “is this business name already taken?” and “how do I register my business name with CAC?” They are really one journey — you search first, then register. This NaijaSabi guide covers both in one place, with the exact fees confirmed from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), the specific portals to use, and the free registration option that most Nigerian business owners do not know exists.

Step 1 — Free CAC Business Name Search: Is Your Name Already Taken?

Before you pay anything or fill in any form, the first step is checking whether your proposed business name is already registered by someone else. Two businesses cannot operate with the same registered name in Nigeria — the CAC will reject a duplicate. Here is how to check for free:

1. Open your browser and go to publicsearch.cac.gov.ng
2. In the search bar, type your proposed business name — exactly as you want to register it
3. Press search — the results will show all registered entities whose names match or are similar to your search term
4. If your exact name does not appear, it may be available. If it appears — or if a very similar name appears — you will likely need to choose a different name or modify yours significantly

What the public search tells you — and what it does not: The public search is a first check, not a final confirmation. A name not appearing in the public search does not guarantee CAC will approve it during the official availability check — CAC can still reject names that are too similar to existing names, are deceptively similar to known brands, contain prohibited words (like “Federal,” “National,” “Government,” “Central Bank” without appropriate approval), or are offensive. Think of the public search as screening for obvious conflicts — the formal availability check (Step 2) is the official determination.

Tips for choosing a business name that will be approved:

• Be specific and distinctive — “Bright Stars Logistics Nigeria” is more likely to be unique than “Nigeria Logistics Services”
• Avoid generic descriptors alone — “Catering Services Nigeria” or “Fashion House” without a distinctive element will likely conflict with existing registrations or be rejected as non-distinctive
• Avoid names that imply government affiliation — “National,” “Federal,” “Government,” “CBN,” “NNPC” in a business name require special approval and are almost always rejected for private business registration
• Prepare two names — CAC requires you to submit two preferred names during the availability check, in order of preference. Have your first choice and a backup ready

The Three Types of Business Registration in Nigeria — Which One Do You Need?

Before registering, you must choose the right business structure. This determines your fees, whether you need a lawyer, your tax obligations and your liability as a business owner.

For most Nigerian small business owners — traders, freelancers, artisans, salon owners, content creators, small manufacturers — a Business Name registration is the appropriate and most affordable option. It is the fastest to process, the cheapest (₦10,000), requires no lawyer and can be completed entirely online in under two hours of your time over approximately one week.

A Private Limited Company (LTD) is the right choice if you: plan to have multiple shareholders, need the protection of limited liability (your personal assets are separate from the business), intend to win government contracts or institutional tenders, plan to take on investors, or want to list on a stock exchange eventually. LTD registration requires a lawyer (legal practitioner) and costs more — but provides significantly more legal protection and credibility.

Who Qualifies for Free CAC Business Name Registration?

Before paying ₦10,000 in registration fees, check whether you qualify for the free SMEDAN/CAC Business Name Registration programme — the Federal Government’s initiative to register 250,000 Nigerian MSMEs at no cost.

Who qualifies:

• Nano, micro and small enterprises in Nigeria — businesses with fewer than 50 employees and annual turnover below ₦100 million
• Business owners who do not yet have a CAC-registered business name
• Nigerian citizens with a valid NIN

How to apply for free registration:

1. Visit portal.smedan.gov.ng/signup
2. Create an account using your first name, last name, email and password
3. Complete your business profile — provide your business name, address, sector and NIN for identity verification
4. When asked if you already have a CAC registration number, select “No” to indicate you are applying for free registration
5. SMEDAN processes your eligibility — eligible businesses receive their CAC Business Name registration at no cost

You can also access free CAC registration at MSME Clinics — the free government events held across all 36 states where CAC registration is available on-site. Monitor smedan.gov.ng and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (@FMITINigeria) for MSME Clinic dates in your state.

Step-by-Step: How to Register a Business Name with CAC Online (DIY — No Lawyer Needed)

If you are registering a Business Name (sole proprietorship or partnership) yourself without going through the free SMEDAN programme, here is the complete step-by-step process:

Step 1 — Create an Account on the CAC Portal

1. Go to services.cac.gov.ng — the CAC Company Registration Portal (CRP)
2. Click “Register” or “Create Account”
3. Fill in your personal details — full name, date of birth, gender, phone number
4. Enter your National Identification Number (NIN) — the CAC uses this to verify your identity
5. Provide a valid email address and create a secure password
6. Verify your email address by clicking the link sent to your inbox
7. Log in to your new CAC portal account

Step 2 — Name Availability Check and Reservation

1. In your CAC portal dashboard, select “Name Search” or “Name Reservation”
2. Enter your two proposed business names — your first preference in Option 1, your backup in Option 2
3. Pay the name reservation fee: ₦500 for Business Name — pay online using your debit card or bank transfer
4. Submit and wait for CAC’s response — you will receive an email notification when your name availability check is complete. This typically takes 24–72 hours
5. If your preferred name (Option 1) is approved: you receive an Availability Code for that name. Save this code — you need it to proceed with registration. The reservation is valid for 60 days
6. If Option 1 is rejected: CAC moves to Option 2. If both are rejected, you must resubmit with new names (and pay ₦500 again)

Common reasons CAC rejects a business name:

• Name identical or very similar to an already-registered business
• Name implies government ownership or affiliation (contains “Federal,” “National,” “Government,” “Ministry,” etc.)
• Name is misleading about the nature of the business
• Name contains prohibited words (“Bank,” “Insurance,” “University” without sector regulator approval)
• Name is offensive or contrary to public policy

Step 3 — Complete the Registration Form

1. In your CAC portal, click “Registration” then select “Business Name”
2. Enter your Availability Code from Step 2
3. Complete the pre-registration form (CAC-BNo1) with the following details:
   • Approved business name
   • General nature of the business (what your business does — be specific)
   • Full address of your principal place of business
   • Proposed date of commencement
   • Your full personal details as proprietor — name, date of birth, home address, phone number, email, nationality

Step 4 — Upload Your Documents

Upload digital copies (clear photos or scans) of:

• Valid government-issued ID — NIN slip/card, national ID, driver’s licence, international passport or permanent voter’s card
• Passport photograph — clear, white background
• Proprietor’s signature — scan or photo of your signature on white paper
• Proof of business address — utility bill, tenancy agreement or other document showing the business address (optional for some registrations but recommended)

Step 5 — Pay the Registration Fee

1. Pay the Business Name registration fee: ₦10,000
2. Payment is made online through the CAC portal using your debit card (Verve, Mastercard, Visa) or bank transfer
3. Keep your payment receipt — it is evidence of your submission

Step 6 — Submit and Wait for Approval

1. Review all your information for accuracy — particularly your name spelling, which must exactly match your ID
2. Submit your application
3. CAC reviews your application — processing typically takes approximately one week for Business Name registrations
4. You receive an email notification when your application is approved

Step 7 — Download Your Certificate

1. Log in to your CAC portal account when you receive your approval notification
2. Download your Certificate of Registration and your CTC (Certified True Copy) of the Application
3. Download promptly — CAC charges for subsequent downloads after an initial period
4. Store your certificate securely in cloud storage (Google Drive) and print at least one physical copy

Your TIN is now active: When your CAC Business Name is registered, a Tax Identification Number (TIN) is automatically generated for your business. Activate it by logging in to the FIRS/NRS TaxPro Max portal at taxpromax.firs.gov.ng — failure to activate a generated TIN can create complications with tax compliance and access to government funding programmes.

Critical Warning — CAC Scams Nigerians Must Know About

In August 2025, the CAC issued an official disclaimer warning the public that 247 business names had been fraudulently presented as registered limited liability companies with fake RC (Registration Certificate) numbers that were never assigned by CAC. This type of fraud — selling fake CAC certificates — is common in Nigeria, particularly through social media agents who claim to register businesses cheaper and faster than official channels.

Here is how to protect yourself:

• Never pay for CAC registration through WhatsApp, Instagram or Telegram agents you cannot verify. Always register directly through services.cac.gov.ng or use a verified, accredited CAC registration agent whose credentials you have confirmed
• Verify any business certificate before relying on it. Use the CAC public search at publicsearch.cac.gov.ng to confirm that a business is genuinely registered. Enter the business name or RC number — if it does not appear in the public search, the certificate is likely fake
• If you suspect a fake certificate: report to the CAC directly through cac.gov.ng or contact any CAC state office
• Pay only the official fees: Business Name reservation is ₦500. Business Name registration is ₦10,000. Any agent charging significantly above these amounts is adding an undisclosed commission — which may be legitimate for the service they are providing, but you should know the breakdown of what CAC charges versus what the agent charges

How to Verify if a Business Is Registered with CAC

Whether you are a customer checking if a vendor is legitimate, an employer verifying a company, or simply confirming your own registration status — here is how to verify any Nigerian business registration:

1. Go to publicsearch.cac.gov.ng
2. Type the exact business name or company name in the search bar
3. Alternatively, if you have the RC (Registration Certificate) number — which appears on all CAC certificates — enter it directly
4. The search result shows the registered business name, RC number, registration date, business address and status (active or struck off)
5. If the name or RC number does not appear: the business is either not registered with CAC, or the certificate presented to you is fraudulent

This verification is particularly important when: entering a business partnership, paying a supplier or vendor a large sum before delivery, hiring a contractor, or assessing whether a business qualifies for a grant or loan programme that requires CAC registration.

Frequently Asked Questions — CAC Business Name Nigeria 2026

How do I check if a business name is taken in Nigeria?

Do a free public search at publicsearch.cac.gov.ng — type your proposed business name in the search bar and press search. If the exact name or a very similar name appears in the results, it is already registered and you will need to choose a different name. If it does not appear, it may be available — but the formal confirmation comes through the official CAC availability check at services.cac.gov.ng, which costs ₦500 and is the authoritative determination of whether CAC will approve your name. The free public search is a first screening, not a final guarantee of availability.

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

CAC Business Name registration (for sole proprietorships and partnerships) costs ₦500 for name availability check and reservation plus ₦10,000 for registration — a total of ₦10,500 in official CAC fees. Private Limited Company (LTD) registration costs ₦15,000 for ₦1 million share capital (plus the ₦500 reservation fee). If you qualify as a small business (under 50 employees, annual turnover below ₦100 million), you may be eligible for free Business Name registration through the SMEDAN/CAC programme — apply at portal.smedan.gov.ng. Always pay CAC fees directly through the official portal at services.cac.gov.ng — not through third-party agents whose fees are not transparent.

Do I need a lawyer to register a business name in Nigeria?

No — a Business Name registration (sole proprietorship or partnership) does not require a lawyer. The entire process is completed online on the CAC portal at services.cac.gov.ng by the business owner themselves. No legal practitioner, notarisation or physical visit to a CAC office is required. However, Private Limited Company (LTD), Public Limited Company (PLC), Companies Limited by Guarantee and Incorporated Trustees all require a legal practitioner for registration — this is a CAC requirement, not optional. If you need an LTD, engage a CAC-accredited lawyer or business registration service.

How long does CAC business name registration take in Nigeria?

CAC Business Name registration typically takes approximately one week from the date of complete application submission and payment. The name availability check and reservation (Step 2) takes 24–72 hours. After submission of the full registration form and payment, CAC processes the application in approximately 5–7 business days. You receive your digital certificate by email and on your CAC portal dashboard when approved. Processing times can extend during peak periods — if your application takes longer than two weeks, log in to your CAC portal to check the status or contact the CAC directly through cac.gov.ng.

What is the difference between a Business Name and a Limited Company in Nigeria?

A Business Name (sole proprietorship or partnership) is the simplest business structure — registered in the owner’s name, no limited liability protection (you are personally liable for all business debts), lower cost (₦10,000), no lawyer required, fastest to process. A Private Limited Company (LTD) is a separate legal entity from its owners — shareholders’ personal assets are protected from business debts (limited liability), multiple shareholders are possible, better suited for businesses seeking investment, bank loans or government contracts, higher cost (₦15,000+), requires a lawyer. For most small Nigerian business owners starting out, a Business Name is the right starting point — you can convert to a Limited Company later as your business grows.

Sources

1. Corporate Affairs Commission Nigeria — official CAC portal and public search — cac.gov.ng / publicsearch.cac.gov.ng / services.cac.gov.ng
2. CAC Nigeria — Official Disclaimer on 247 fraudulent company registrations — August 2025 — cac.gov.ng

Last updated: 21 September 2026 · NaijaSabi Civic Desk. CAC fees, processes and portal details change periodically. Always confirm current fees and procedures directly at cac.gov.ng before making any payments. NaijaSabi is not affiliated with CAC or SMEDAN.