Business Registration & Corporate Documentation
Starting a business? Let’s get your foundation right.
We help entrepreneurs and companies register with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and put the right corporate documentation in place — from choosing a structure to receiving your registration documents.
Overview
What business registration involves
In Nigeria, businesses and companies are registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), which administers the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 (CAMA 2020).
Registration gives your business an official identity. Depending on the structure you choose, it can also affect who is responsible for the business’s debts, how you can raise money, and which obligations you have after registration.
There is no single structure that is right for everyone. The right choice depends on the nature of your business, its ownership, your objectives, liability considerations, regulatory and tax considerations, and your plans for the future.
Who may need this
- People starting a new business or side business
- Sole traders and freelancers formalising what they already do
- Partners and co-founders setting up a company together
- Organisations such as associations, NGOs and faith-based bodies
- Nigerians abroad establishing a business at home
Why it matters
Many opportunities — corporate bank accounts, contracts, tenders, partnerships and some licences — may ask for evidence of registration. Registering early, and in the right structure, helps you avoid having to restructure later.
Compare structures
Business Name or Limited Liability Company?
A simplified comparison to help you think it through. It is general information, not advice — we’ll help you weigh it up for your situation.
| Business Name | Limited Liability Company (Ltd) | |
|---|---|---|
| Legal status | Not a separate legal entity from its owner(s) | A separate legal entity from its shareholders |
| Liability | Owners are personally responsible for the business’s obligations | Shareholders’ liability is generally limited to any amount unpaid on their shares |
| Often suits | Sole traders, freelancers and small ventures starting simply | Businesses planning to grow, bring in investors, or pursue larger contracts |
| Ongoing obligations | Generally fewer formalities | More formalities, such as statutory records and annual returns |
Other structures are available for particular purposes — for example Incorporated Trustees for associations and non-profit organisations, companies limited by guarantee, and partnerships. See below.
What we help with
Registration and corporate documentation support
CAC
Business Name registration
A registered business name lets you trade under a name other than your own. It is a common starting point for sole traders and small partnerships.
It does not create a separate legal entity, so the owner(s) remain personally responsible for the business.
May be relevant to: sole traders, freelancers, small partnerships and early-stage ventures.
How we help:
- Checking name availability and suggesting alternatives
- Preparing and reviewing your registration details
- Submitting the application and following up on queries
- Delivering your registration documents
CAC
Limited Liability Company (Ltd)
A private company limited by shares is a separate legal entity. It can own property, enter contracts and be party to legal proceedings in its own name.
Companies have additional responsibilities, including keeping statutory records, filing annual returns and disclosing persons with significant control where applicable.
May be relevant to: growing businesses, companies with more than one owner, businesses seeking investment or larger contracts, and companies with foreign participation.
How we help:
- Name availability search and reservation
- Preparing incorporation details — directors, shareholders, share capital and business objects
- Submission to the CAC and follow-up
- Post-incorporation documentation, where applicable
CAC — where applicable
Other structures
Some organisations need a different structure — for example Incorporated Trustees for associations, clubs, NGOs and faith-based organisations; companies limited by guarantee for non-profit objectives; and limited partnerships or limited liability partnerships.
Each has its own requirements. Tell us what you are setting up and we’ll help you understand the options.
May be relevant to: associations, NGOs, faith-based organisations, professional partnerships and non-profit ventures.
Requirements
Information you may be asked to provide
Depending on the structure, you may be asked to provide some or all of the following:
- Two or more proposed names, in order of preference
- A clear description of the business activity
- Business and residential addresses
- Full details of owners, directors, shareholders and persons with significant control, where applicable
- Valid means of identification for the individuals involved
- Share capital and shareholding details (for companies)
- Contact email address and phone number
Requirements vary. The exact list depends on your structure, your activity and the current procedures of the relevant authority. We confirm what applies to you during your consultation.
Process
How the process usually works
The typical flow is below. Individual steps can differ by authority and by case.
- ConsultationWe discuss your business and the structure that may suit it.
- Name checkWe check availability of your proposed names.
- Preparing detailsWe gather and review the information and documents required.
- SubmissionThe application is submitted to the CAC.
- Queries & follow-upWe respond to any queries and keep you updated.
- DocumentsYou receive your registration documents once approved.
Fees and timeframes
Government & regulatory fees
The CAC charges official fees that depend on the type of registration and, for companies, factors such as share capital. Official fees are set by the authority and can change, so we confirm the current fees — and our professional fee — before you commit.
Timeframes
Processing times depend on the authority involved, its current workload, and whether any queries are raised on your application. We don’t publish fixed timeframes; we’ll give you a realistic expectation for your case and keep you updated.
Avoid delays
Common mistakes
- Choosing a structure only because it seems cheapest or quickest
- Proposing names that are too similar to existing businesses or brands
- Describing the business activity too vaguely or too narrowly
- Inconsistent personal details across documents
- Forgetting post-registration obligations such as annual returns
- Assuming a registered business name protects your brand the way a trademark does
Questions about this service
Should I register a Business Name or a Limited Liability Company?
It depends on your circumstances — including ownership, liability, plans for growth and investment, and the opportunities you want to pursue. We don’t recommend one structure for everyone; we help you understand the differences so you can decide.
Can I register my business from outside Nigeria or from another state?
Yes. You can start the process remotely. Some steps may require documents to be signed or verified in a particular way — we will explain what applies to you.
Does registering my business name protect my brand?
Not in the same way as a trademark. Business name registration with the CAC and trademark registration are separate processes. Learn about trademarks.
What happens after registration?
Depending on your structure and activities, next steps may include tax registration, opening a corporate bank account, filing annual returns and, for some activities, sector-specific permits. We can advise on what may apply.
Related services
You may also need
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Preparing the compliance documents that tenders and vendor registrations commonly ask for.
Intellectual Property & Commercialisation
Trademark, patent and copyright support to help protect your brand, inventions and creative work.
Foreign Investment & Business Entry
Documentation support for foreign investors and companies with foreign participation.
Free consultation
Not sure where to start? Let’s talk it through.
Tell us about your business and what you’re trying to do. We’ll help you understand which registrations or documents may apply and what the next steps involve — before you commit.
Important: BIMPRESTIGE provides business registration, documentation, compliance and regulatory process support. Government agencies and regulatory authorities retain responsibility for decisions, approvals, processing times and requirements. Submission does not automatically guarantee approval. Website information is general information and is not legal, tax, immigration or investment advice.