Key takeaways: CAC processes business name registrations in 1–2 business days after submission. Total end-to-end time: 1–3 days (DIY), 3–7 days (agent), or 24–48 hours (Oya Legal). The #1 cause of delays is rejected names. Check availability before applying.
How long does each step take?
Gathering Info and Documents (0–7 days)
If prepared: 10–30 minutes. If not: could take days finding your NIN slip, taking a photo, etc.
Submitting the Application
- CAC portal (DIY): 1–3 hours
- Through an agent: 1–2 days (back-and-forth communication)
- Oya Legal (WhatsApp): ~5 minutes
CAC Processing (1–2 business days)
Same regardless of submission method. During busy periods, may extend to 3–4 days.
Receiving Your Certificate
Available for download immediately upon approval.
How long does business name registration take in total?
| Method | Your time | Total |
|---|
| DIY | 1–3 hours | 1–3 days |
| Agent | 1–5 days | 3–7 days |
| Oya Legal | ~5 minutes | 24–48 hours |
What causes delays in CAC registration?
- Rejected name — already taken or too similar (#1 reason)
- Blurry documents — CAC can’t read your ID or photo
- Name mismatch — ID name doesn’t match the form
- Wrong LGA — 774 LGAs in Nigeria, picking the wrong one
- Payment issues — failed card or delayed transfer
Each rejection adds another 1–2 business days.
How can I avoid registration delays?
- Check name availability before applying
- Submit clear document photos
- Double-check your LGA
- Ensure your ID name matches your registration name
Oya Legal validates everything in real-time during the WhatsApp conversation, catching errors before submission.
Register in under 48 hours →