CAC Business Registration Requirements: Complete Checklist

Key takeaways: You need 3 documents (valid ID, passport photo, signature on white paper), personal details (name, DOB, phone, email), business details (name, category, commencement date), and two addresses with correct state and LGA. All documents can be submitted as phone photos.

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Who can register a business name in Nigeria?

Any individual aged 18 or older can register a business name (sole proprietorship). You must be a natural person — companies register as LLCs instead. Nigerian citizenship is not required, but you need a Nigerian address for the business.

What personal information does the CAC require?

• Full legal name — must match your means of identification exactly
• Date of birth — day, month, and year
• Gender — male or female
• Nationality — Nigerian or specify your country
• Occupation — your current occupation
• Phone number — a working Nigerian phone number
• Email address — must be valid (CAC sends notifications here)
• Means of identification type — NIN slip, international passport, voter’s card, or driver’s licence
• ID number — the number on your chosen ID

What business information is required?

• Proposed business name — have 2–3 alternatives in case your first choice is taken
• Nature of business — from the CAC’s 19 approved categories
• Proposed commencement date
• Business phone number — can be the same as personal
• Business email address — can be the same as personal

What addresses does the CAC need?

Principal Place of Business

Your main business address including street address, city, LGA, state, and post code.

Residential Address

Your home address in the same format. The CAC gives you the option to hide this from public records.

Important: Nigeria has 774 LGAs — you must select the correct one for each address.

What documents do I need for CAC registration?

1. Means of Identification

One of: NIN slip, international passport, voter’s card, or driver’s licence. Must be valid and not expired. Name must match registration form.

2. Passport Photograph

Recent, colour, white background, face clearly visible. You can take this with your phone against a white wall.

3. Signature

Your signature in dark ink on plain white paper, photographed clearly. No other marks on the paper.

What are the 19 CAC business categories?

1. Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
2. Mining and Quarrying
3. Manufacturing
4. Electricity, Gas, Steam and Air Conditioning Supply
5. Water Supply, Sewerage, Waste Management
6. Construction
7. Wholesale and Retail Trade
8. Transportation and Storage
9. Accommodation and Food Service Activities
10. Information and Communication
11. Financial and Insurance Activities
12. Real Estate Activities
13. Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities
14. Administrative and Support Service Activities
15. Education
16. Human Health and Social Work Activities
17. Arts, Entertainment and Recreation
18. Other Service Activities
19. Activities of Extraterritorial Organisations and Bodies

Checklist Summary

• Full legal name, DOB, gender, nationality, occupation
• Phone number and email
• ID type and number
• Clear photo of your ID
• Passport photograph (white background)
• Signature on white paper
• Business name (plus alternatives)
• Nature of business category
• Commencement date, business phone, business email
• Business address with correct LGA and state
• Residential address with correct LGA and state

How Oya Legal Simplifies This

Instead of filling out a form with all these fields at once, we collect everything through a WhatsApp conversation. One question at a time, validated as you go. Takes about 5 minutes.

Start your registration on WhatsApp →