For thousands of small business owners across Nigeria, formalising a business has often felt like a luxury—important, yes, but expensive, bureaucratic, and sometimes intimidating. That narrative may be changing.
In a landmark move aimed at boosting entrepreneurship and expanding Nigeria’s formal economy, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has announced free business name registration for 3,500 small businesses across the country’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The announcement, made by the Registrar-General of the CAC, Hussaini Magaji, signals a renewed commitment by the commission to support micro and small enterprises, reduce start-up costs, and widen access to economic opportunities for everyday Nigerians.
So, what exactly does this initiative mean—and why does it matter? Here’s everything you need to know.
What Is the CAC’s Free Business Name Registration Initiative?
The CAC’s new initiative will allow 3,500 small businesses to register their business names at no cost, removing one of the key financial barriers that discourage informal businesses from entering the formal sector.
According to the commission, the slots will be distributed across all 36 states and the FCT, ensuring nationwide inclusion rather than concentrating the benefit in a few urban centres.
Announcing the programme via the CAC’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Magaji described the initiative as part of the commission’s broader effort to celebrate its progress while investing in Nigeria’s entrepreneurial future.
“In the spirit of the celebration, the CAC has announced free business name registration for 3,500 small businesses, to be distributed across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.”
Why This Matters for Small Businesses
For many micro and small enterprises, operating informally is not a choice—it’s a survival strategy. Registration costs, documentation requirements, and limited awareness often keep small traders, artisans, and startups outside the formal economy.
By removing registration fees, the CAC hopes to encourage businesses to formalise, unlocking benefits such as:
Access to government programmes and services
Eligibility for grants, loans, and other financing opportunities
Improved credibility with customers, partners, and financial institutions
Stronger participation in the national economy
Magaji explained that formalisation is a critical step toward economic inclusion, enabling small businesses to grow, scale, and contribute more effectively to national development.
CAC at 35: A Story of Growth and Digital Transformation
The announcement comes as the Corporate Affairs Commission reflects on 35 years of existence, a milestone that the registrar-general described as the result of vision, innovation, and sustained commitment to national development.
From its early years as a largely manual registry, the CAC has evolved into a technology-driven agency, prioritising:
Operational efficiency
Transparency
Compliance with global best practices
Improved ease of doing business
This transformation has played a key role in Nigeria’s efforts to improve its business environment and attract both local and foreign investment.
CAC and Google: A Strategic Digital Partnership
In another major revelation, Magaji announced that the CAC is set to sign a collaboration letter with Google, a move expected to significantly strengthen the commission’s digital infrastructure.
According to him, the partnership will focus on:
Enhancing portal performance
Improving service delivery
Further simplifying business registration processes
The collaboration aligns with the CAC’s broader goal of making business formalisation faster, smarter, and more accessible for entrepreneurs across Nigeria.
New CAC Website, AI Lawyer, and Business Name Generator
As part of its digital upgrade, the CAC has also unveiled a redesigned website packed with new tools aimed at simplifying user experience.
Among the standout features are:
AI Lawyer
This tool will provide instant guidance on CAC laws and procedures, helping users better understand compliance requirements without delays or confusion.
Business Name Generator
Designed to simplify the name reservation process, the generator will help entrepreneurs identify scalable and available business names, reducing rejection rates and saving time.
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Together, these tools represent a shift toward smarter, tech-enabled public service delivery.
What This Means for Nigeria’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
The free business name registration initiative, combined with new digital tools and strategic partnerships, paints a clear picture: the CAC is positioning itself as a pro-entrepreneur, innovation-friendly regulator.
For small business owners, especially those at the grassroots level, this could be a turning point—lowering entry barriers, increasing trust in public institutions, and encouraging participation in the formal economy.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with unemployment and economic uncertainty, initiatives like this underscore the role of small businesses as engines of growth—and the importance of making it easier for them to start, survive, and succeed.
Bottom Line
The CAC’s free business name registration is more than a giveaway.
It’s a policy signal—one that says entrepreneurship matters, inclusion matters, and the future of Nigeria’s economy depends on empowering its smallest businesses.