Please note
Belmadeng is an independent study platform and is not affiliated with the CAC. This is general information, not legal or financial advice — register and manage your business only on the official CAC portals (pre.cac.gov.ng and post.cac.gov.ng) and pay through official channels. You can register a business name or a simple company yourself; for complex structures consider a professional. Beware clone sites and agents charging inflated fees.
What a business name is
A business name is the CAC category for sole proprietorships and partnerships — ideal for a shop, freelance service, small agency or a partnership of a few people. (For limited liability, see registering a company.)
Step 1: reserve your name
Search for availability and reserve your name on pre.cac.gov.ng (around ₦500, held for 60 days). Have an alternative name ready in case your first choice is taken — CAC does not allow duplicates.
Step 2: complete the form
Create/sign in to your account on pre.cac.gov.ng and complete the CAC-BNO1 pre-registration form — the nature of business, registered address, and each proprietor’s details.
Step 3: upload documents
Upload each proprietor’s valid ID (NIN, passport, driver’s licence or voter’s card), a passport photograph and signature. See full requirements.
Step 4: pay
Pay the filing fee through the portal’s approved channels (the business-name government fee is roughly ₦10,000, with total costs up to about ₦20,000 — confirm current fees).
Step 5: get your certificate
CAC reviews your application and, if all is in order, issues an electronic Certificate of Registration and a certified extract you can download.
How long it takes
Business names are usually processed in 1–7 working days (often same day) if your details are accurate.
Tips
- Prepare owner details and IDs before you start — it’s the biggest time-saver.
- Have an alternative name ready.
- Use only pre.cac.gov.ng — you can do it yourself.
Who a business name is for
A business name (BN) is the simplest, cheapest CAC registration — ideal for sole proprietors, freelancers, traders and small partnerships who want to operate under a formal business name. It's the route most Nigerian solo entrepreneurs start with. The key thing to understand is that a business name gives you a registered trading identity but not a separate legal entity: you and the business are legally the same, so there's unlimited liability (your personal assets can be reached for business debts). For many small operators that trade-off is fine to begin with.
The registration steps
Registration is done entirely online at cac.gov.ng:
- Name search/reservation — check your proposed name is available and reserve it.
- Complete the application — proprietor's details, nature of business (from CAC's options), address, and IDs/photos.
- Pay the CAC fee online.
- Certificate — on approval, download your certificate and BN number.
For a basic business name, most people do it themselves without a lawyer — the DIY route is straightforward.
What you get, and what follows
On approval you receive your BN number and certificate — and, under 2026 integration, a TIN is generated automatically (your BN number effectively serves as it). That lets you open a corporate bank account, invoice formally, and bid for work that requires registration. But registration isn't “done and dusted”: every registered entity must file annual returns each year to stay in good standing, even if dormant. Business names are usually issued within a few working days once the name is approved and payment clears.
Frequently asked questions
How do I register a business name in Nigeria?
On pre.cac.gov.ng: reserve your name (~₦500), complete the CAC-BNO1 form, upload each proprietor’s ID, photo and signature, pay the filing fee, and download your electronic certificate.
Do I need a lawyer to register a business name?
No — you can register a business name yourself directly on the CAC portal.
How long does business name registration take?
Usually 1–7 working days, and often the same day, if your details are accurate.
How much does it cost to register a business name?
The government fee is roughly ₦10,000, with total costs (including name reservation) up to about ₦20,000. Confirm current fees on the CAC portal.
Can I register a business name online?
Yes — it is fully online on pre.cac.gov.ng; you don’t need to visit a CAC office for a standard business name.
Who should register a business name?
Sole proprietors, freelancers, traders and small partnerships who want a formal trading identity — it's the simplest, cheapest CAC registration and the route most Nigerian solo entrepreneurs start with. Note it's not a separate legal entity, so there's unlimited liability (personal assets can be reached for business debts).
How do I register a business name in Nigeria?
Entirely online at cac.gov.ng: do a name search/reservation, complete the application (proprietor's details, nature of business, address, IDs/photos), pay the CAC fee, and download your certificate and BN number on approval. For a basic business name, most people do it themselves without a lawyer.
Do I need a lawyer to register a business name?
No — for a basic business name, most applicants register themselves on the CAC portal; the DIY route is straightforward. A lawyer or accredited agent becomes useful for companies with multiple shareholders, NGOs, or structures with foreign directors.
What do I get after registering a business name?
Your BN number and certificate — and, under 2026 integration, an automatically generated TIN (your BN number effectively serves as it). That lets you open a corporate bank account, invoice formally, and bid for work requiring registration.
How long does business name registration take?
Usually a few working days once the name is approved and payment clears — often quickly. Processing speed depends on application accuracy; errors or queries extend the timeline.