How to register a business name with the CAC
Registering a business name in Nigeria costs ₦33,000 through Nata, including the CAC filing fee. You get a BN number and the CAC certificate, enough to open a business bank account and trade legally under your name.
Prices checked 25 October 2026, 8:24pm (Lagos time)
| Item | Business name |
|---|---|
| Price on Nata (flat) | ₦33,000 |
| Registration number | BN number |
| Documents issued | Certificate of registration |
| Owners | Proprietor or partners |
| Liability | Personal |
| Timing | 7 to 14 working days |
| Compare | Limited company: ₦60,000 |
How to register a business name on Nata in 3 steps
- Pay ₦33,000 in the app. Open CAC Registration, choose Business name and confirm with your transaction PIN. Add a different phone number if you would rather be called on it. A confirmation email follows at once.
- Give the specialist your details. A registration specialist calls you and collects the information and documents listed below, by phone, WhatsApp or email. Your request then shows as processing: filed with the CAC.
- Receive your BN number. On approval, My Registrations in the app shows the registered name, the BN number and a link to your certificate.
What a registered business name gives you
A business name is the CAC's registration for sole proprietors and partnerships. It does not create a new legal person: you remain the business, and you are personally responsible for its debts. What it does is make your trading name official and exclusive, which is what banks, payment processors, marketplaces and most customers want to see before they deal with you. With the certificate and BN number you can open a corporate account in the business's name, register for tax (TIN), apply for small-business loans and grants, and stop someone else registering the same name.
What the CAC asks for
- Two proposed names, in order of preference. The CAC rejects names already in use, names too close to existing ones, and names with restricted words (such as "national", "federal", "bank" or "group" without approval). Add a descriptive word to make a common name distinctive.
- Nature of business: a short description of what you do. It can cover more than one activity.
- Business address in Nigeria. A home address is acceptable.
- Proprietor details: full name, date of birth, phone number, email and residential address. For a partnership, the same for each partner.
- Means of identification: NIN slip, voter's card, driver's licence or international passport.
- Passport photograph of each proprietor.
Business name versus limited company
Choose a business name if you are the only owner (or a small partnership), you are not planning to raise outside investment soon, and your customers are individuals or small businesses. Choose a limited company (₦60,000 on Nata) if you need limited liability, want to bring in shareholders, or intend to bid for corporate and government contracts, most of which require an RC number. Many businesses start with a name and incorporate a company a year or two later; the company is a fresh registration.
Cost
₦33,000 covers the CAC's filing fee and Nata's handling of the application. The CAC's own fee is only part of what registration costs in practice: agents and lawyers add a service fee, and some charge again for "follow-up". On Nata the price in the table is the whole price, and if the request cannot be completed and is rejected on our side, it is refunded to your wallet.
After registration
Keep digital copies of the certificate and your BN number; banks ask for both when opening the account. Your business name is yours to use for as long as the business runs; the CAC requires an annual return to keep it in good standing. If you later want a company, see the limited company guide.
How long it takes
Once filed, registration usually takes 7 to 14 working days. The specialist calls after payment, and the status in the app moves from pending to processing (filed) to approved.
Back to the CAC registration overview.
Frequently asked questions
How much does CAC registration cost in Nigeria?
Through Nata, a business name registration costs ₦33,000 and a private limited company (Ltd) costs ₦60,000. Both prices cover the CAC filing fee and Nata's handling; there is nothing more to pay for the registration itself.
What is the difference between a business name and a limited company?
A business name (BN) registers a trading name for a sole proprietor or partners; the owner and the business are the same legal person. A limited company (Ltd, RC number) is a separate legal entity with shareholders and directors, so the owners' liability is limited to their shares. Companies are needed for most contracts with corporates, grants and investors; a business name is enough for most small traders and freelancers.
How long does CAC registration take?
Once filed, registration usually takes 7 to 14 working days. A specialist calls you after payment to collect the details, and the status moves from pending to processing (filed with the CAC) to approved.
What documents does the CAC ask for?
For a business name: two proposed names, the nature of the business, a business address, the proprietor's full name, phone number, email, a valid ID (NIN slip, voter's card, driver's licence or passport) and a passport photograph. For a limited company: the same for every director and shareholder, plus the share capital and how it is divided; a company secretary is optional for small companies.
What do I get at the end?
For a business name, the BN number and the CAC certificate of registration. For a limited company, the RC number and the certificate of incorporation. Nata shows the registered name and number under My Registrations in the app, with a link to the certificate.
What if my proposed name is rejected?
The CAC rejects names that are already taken, too similar to existing ones or contain restricted words. That is why you give two options. If both fail, the specialist calls you for alternatives; the fee is not charged twice.
Can I get a refund?
If Nata cannot complete the registration and the request is rejected on our side, the full fee goes back to your Nata wallet and the transaction is marked refunded.
Do I have to come to an office?
No. Everything is done by phone and in the app: you pay, a specialist calls you for the details and documents (sent by WhatsApp or email), and the result appears in the app.
Can a business name open a corporate bank account?
Yes. Banks accept the CAC business name certificate, the BN number and the proprietor's ID and TIN to open a business account in the trading name.
Can I upgrade a business name to a limited company later?
Yes, but it is a new incorporation, not a conversion: you register the company (₦60,000 through Nata) and can keep trading under the business name or let it lapse.
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