How to register a limited company (Ltd) with the CAC
Incorporating a private limited company in Nigeria costs ₦60,000 through Nata, with the CAC filing handled for you. You get an RC number and the certificate of incorporation.
Prices checked 25 October 2026, 8:25pm (Lagos time)
| Item | Limited company |
|---|---|
| Price on Nata (flat) | ₦60,000 |
| Registration number | RC number |
| Documents issued | Certificate of incorporation |
| Owners | Shareholders and directors (can be one person) |
| Liability | Limited to shares |
| Timing | 7 to 14 working days |
| Compare | Business name: ₦33,000 |
How to register a limited company on Nata in 3 steps
- Pay ₦60,000 in the app. Open CAC Registration, choose Limited company 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 RC number. On approval, My Registrations in the app shows the registered name, the RC number and a link to your certificate.
What incorporation gives you
A private limited company is a separate legal person. It owns its assets, signs its contracts and owes its debts; the shareholders' exposure is limited to their shares. It is the structure that corporates, government agencies, investors and most grant programmes expect: an RC number is a standard requirement in tenders and vendor onboarding. Under the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020, one person can be the sole shareholder and sole director, so a one-person business can incorporate.
What the CAC asks for
- Two proposed company names, ending in "Limited" or "Ltd". Names that clash with existing companies or contain restricted words are rejected.
- Objects of the company: what it will do. Several lines of business are allowed.
- Registered office address in Nigeria.
- Share capital and its division among shareholders. The CAC sets a minimum issued share capital (₦100,000 for most businesses, higher for regulated sectors). The price here is for a company at the standard minimum; if your share capital or sector changes the CAC's charges, the specialist tells you before anything is filed.
- Directors: full name, date of birth, nationality, occupation, residential address, phone, email, means of identification (NIN slip, voter's card, driver's licence or passport) and a passport photograph for each. At least one director; one person may be director and shareholder.
- Shareholders: the same details plus the number of shares each holds.
- Company secretary: optional for small companies.
Limited company versus business name
If you only need an official trading name and a business bank account, a business name (₦33,000 on Nata) is cheaper and carries fewer obligations. Incorporate a company when you need limited liability, co-owners, investors or access to contracts that require an RC number. A company must file annual returns with the CAC and keep basic company records; the specialist can explain what that involves.
Cost
₦60,000 covers the CAC filing and Nata's handling for a standard private company. The CAC's published fee is only part of what incorporation costs in practice; lawyers and agents add their service fee, often without saying so up front. On Nata the figure in the table is the figure charged, and a request that cannot be completed and is rejected on our side is refunded to your wallet.
After incorporation
You receive the certificate of incorporation through the link in the app. Banks ask for it, plus the directors' IDs and the company TIN, to open the corporate account. File the annual return each year to keep the company active.
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.
What share capital do I need?
The CAC sets a minimum issued share capital for private companies (₦100,000 for most businesses, higher for regulated sectors such as finance, aviation or security). The price here is for a company at the standard minimum; if your share capital or sector changes the CAC's charges, the specialist tells you before anything is filed.
How many directors and shareholders do I need?
A private company can be formed by one person who is both the sole director and sole shareholder, under the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020. You can have more, and the specialist records each person's details.
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