Nigeria guide · updated
How to register a business name in Nigeria: pick one CAC will approve
In Nigeria, business names and companies are registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). Most rejected names fail for a few avoidable reasons. Here is how to choose a name that gets through, the free checks to run before you pay, and the one thing many founders miss: a CAC registration is not a trademark.
Names CAC is likely to refuse
- Too close to a name already registered, even with different spelling or an extra word like “Global” or “Ventures”.
- Names that suggest a link to government, for example words like “Federal”, “National” or “State”, without the right approval.
- Names for regulated businesses, like banking, insurance or finance, which need approval from the regulator as well.
- Offensive or misleading names, including names that suggest you do something you don’t.
Add a distinctive word to a plain description: not “Lagos Bakery” but “Ayo’s Oven Bakery”. A name people can say, spell and remember also works better on WhatsApp, Instagram and Google.
Business name or limited company?
| Business name | Limited company | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it suits | Sole traders, freelancers, small partnerships | Businesses planning to grow, hire, raise money or sign large contracts |
| In law | The owner and the business are the same | A separate legal person |
| Debts | The owner is personally responsible | Generally limited to what owners put in |
| Registered with | CAC | CAC |
Both are covered by the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 (CAMA 2020). If you are unsure which fits, an accountant or lawyer can tell you in one conversation.
How registration works
1. Check the name and reserve it
On CAC’s online registration portal, submit the name you want. CAC checks it against its register. Keep two or three backups ready in case your first choice is refused. An approved name is held for a limited time, so finish the next steps soon.
2. Fill in the registration form
Give the owner’s details, the business address and a short description of what the business does.
3. Upload your documents
Have a valid ID (such as your NIN slip, international passport, driver’s licence or voter’s card), a passport photograph and your signature ready to upload.
4. Pay the official fee
The portal shows the current fee before you pay. Check it there rather than trusting old figures online.
5. Get your certificate
After approval, CAC sends your registration documents electronically. Keep them safe; banks ask for them when you open a business account.
Five free checks before you pay
1. Search CAC
Use the search on the CAC website to see whether a business or company with the same or a similar name already exists.
2. Search trademarks
Nigeria’s Trademarks, Patents and Designs Registry handles trademarks. For marks from other countries, the free WIPO Global Brand Database searches many national registers at once.
3. Search Google, Instagram and Facebook
Many Nigerian businesses live on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and WhatsApp before they have a website. Search the name on each one.
4. Check the web address
Look at the .com and the .com.ng or .ng. Nigerian addresses (.ng) are managed by the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) and sold through its accredited registrars. Spark’s free name check looks up the .com live.
5. Check social handles
Try to get the same name on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and X, so customers find you in one search.
How Spark helps: describe your business in one sentence and get 6 brand names, each with a live .com check, a logo, colours and a brand photo. Spark’s first trademark screen covers the U.S. and some international registers. It does not search CAC or Nigeria’s own trademark register, so still run checks 1 and 2 above. Prices are in US dollars.
Questions people ask
Is registering my business name with CAC the same as a trademark?
No. CAC registers your business name or company. A trademark is a separate filing with the Trademarks, Patents and Designs Registry at the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment. The Registry itself warns that a CAC registration does not give trademark protection.
Should I register a business name or a limited company?
A business name suits a sole trader or a partnership: the owner and the business are the same in law, so the owner is personally responsible for its debts. A limited company is a separate legal person, which many businesses choose when they plan to grow, raise money or sign large contracts. Both are registered with CAC.
How much does CAC business name registration cost?
CAC shows the current fees on its online portal when you file. Fees change, so check the amount there before you pay, and if you use an agent, ask what they charge on top of the official fee.
Can SparkMyName register my business with CAC?
No. Spark helps you find and brand a name and checks the .com and live trademarks it can reach. You register the name with CAC yourself, or through a CAC-accredited agent.
Can I pay SparkMyName from Nigeria?
Yes. Checkout is in US dollars, and Nigeria is available at checkout. Some Nigerian bank cards limit payments in foreign currency, so if a payment is declined, check with your bank or try a dollar card. Checkout shows the payment options available to you.
Not legal advice. This is a plain-English summary as of October 7, 2026. Rules, fees and portals can change, so confirm on the CAC website before you file, and speak to a lawyer for anything you’re unsure about.
Keep going
how to check if a name is taken · online store name ideas · side hustle name ideas · free name generator
Want a name that already passes the first checks?
Tell Spark your idea in one sentence. Get 6 brands, each with a name, a live .com check, a first trademark screen when one is available, a logo, colours and a brand photo.
Founding price $39 one time for the first 100 customers · Regular price $49 · one payment, no subscription
Build my brand — $39One payment · No subscription · Secure checkout