How to Register Your Business Name with CAC

A Step-by-Step DIY Guide

Part 1: How to Create Your CAC Account

This first stage sets up your personal "Public User" account, which is required before you can register any business.

  1. Go to the Portal: Visit the official CAC AI-Powered Company Registration Portal (CRP) at icrp.cac.gov.ng. On the homepage, click the Get Started button.
  2. Click "Create Account": On the next page, you will see an "Account Creation" section. Click the Create Account button to begin the sign-up process.
  3. Select "Public User": You will be asked to choose an account type. Ensure the Public User option is selected (it will turn green). Scroll down and click the Continue button.
  4. Fill in Your Personal Details: Fill out the "Public User Account Creation" form with your personal information.
    Important: You must enter your details exactly as they appear on your NIN (National Identification Number). Fill in all required fields and then click the Register button.
  5. Activate Your Account via Email: After successfully registering, the system will send an activation link to the email address you provided. Open your email, find the message from CAC, and click the activation link. Once you do this, your account creation is complete.

Part 2: How to Reserve Your Business Name

After activating your account, the next step is to reserve your desired business name.

  1. Log in to Your Dashboard: Log in to the CAC portal (icrp.cac.gov.ng) with the email and password you just created. You will need to complete a two-factor authentication (2FA) by entering the One-Time Password (OTP) sent to your email.
  2. Start a New Name Reservation: On your dashboard, click on Name Reservation from the menu, and then click the New Reservation button.
  3. Select Your Business Type: You will be taken to the "Name and Type" page.
    • Business Classification: Select Business Name.
    • Business Type: Choose your legal structure, such as Business Name - Sole Proprietorship (for one owner) or Business Name - Partnership (for two or more owners).
    Click Continue.
  4. Propose Your Name and Details:
    • Proposed Business Name: Type in your desired business name.
    • Nature of Business: Select the general category and specific nature of your business.
    • Check Availability: Click the Check Availability button. The AI-powered system will check for compliance in real-time.

    If unavailable: You can click Update Business Name to try another or Get Name Suggestions for AI-generated options.

  5. Make Payment: Once your name is available, click Continue to proceed to payment. You will be redirected to Remita to pay the reservation fee.
    Official Fee: ₦1,000 (This fee attracts additional Remita processing charges).

    After successful payment, your name reservation will be instantly approved, and you will receive an AV Code (Approval Validation Code).

  6. Next Steps: After approval, you can either click Continue to Filing to begin the registration immediately or Go Home to return to your dashboard.

Part 3: How to Complete Your Business Name Registration

Once your name is reserved and you have your AV Code, you can complete the final registration.

  1. Start the Registration: From your dashboard, click on Registration in the side menu. Click the Register New Business button and enter your AV Code in the pop-up box.
  2. Fill in Business & Proprietor Details: You will now fill out the registration forms. This will include:
    • Business Details: The business email, address, and date of commencement.
    • Proprietor's Details: Fill in the personal details for the owner (or for all partners).
    Click Save & Continue after each section.
  3. Upload Required Documents: You must upload clear scanned copies of the following documents in IMAGE format:
    • Digital NIN Copy
    • Passport Photograph
    • Specimen Signature

    After uploading the documents for each proprietor, click Add Proprietor Document and then Save & Continue.

  4. Preview and Pay for Registration: A "Preview Page" will appear. Carefully review all the information you have provided.

    Click Proceed to Payment and complete the payment via Remita.

    Official Fee: ₦20,000 (This fee also attracts additional Remita processing charges).
  5. Track Application and Download Documents:

    After payment, go to your dashboard to check the application status.

    • If "Pending": The AI is reviewing your application. Refresh your browser after 5-10 minutes. The status should change to "Approved".
    • If "Queried": This means the submitted CAC application needs a correction.
      1. Click the Action button (arrow icon) and select Query History to see the reason.
      2. Close the query window.
      3. Go back to the Action button and select Modify Application.
      4. Navigate through the application to make the necessary corrections.
      5. Save your changes and resubmit the application.
    • Once "Approved": Click the Action button (the arrow icon).
      1. Scroll down and select the Generate TIN option.
      2. After your Tax Identification Number (TIN) is generated, you can proceed to download your certificate.
    TIN Generation Error?

    If you experience a network error while generating the TIN, follow this workaround:

    1. Go back to the Action button.
    2. Select Download Certificate.
    3. Repeat the process (click Action again) and select Download Status Report.

    Your business is now officially registered.