09/07/2025
CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ROLLS OUT AI-DRIVEN BUSINESS REGISTRATION PORTAL — Targets 30-Minute Approvals.
In a move set to reshape how businesses are registered in Nigeria, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has launched an Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled registration system designed to cut down registration time and simplify processes for entrepreneurs nationwide.
Speaking during the Commission’s 2025 Stakeholders Forum in Port Harcourt, the Registrar-General and Chief Executive Officer, Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, SAN, described the new portal as a major leap towards automating and modernizing Nigeria’s business registration framework.
REDEFINING NAME RESERVATION AND REGISTRATION;
One of the standout features of this upgraded system is its smart name reservation tool. Unlike the previous manual process, the AI solution instantly checks the availability of proposed company names and, if needed, recommends alternatives on the spot. This reduces the back-and-forth that often delays business setup.
According to Magaji, securing a business name through the portal is now as straightforward as creating an email address. By leveraging real-time artificial intelligence, the system can process name approvals almost instantly.
Business owners only need to supply the National Identification Number (NIN) of a company director or sole proprietor to kickstart the process. Once the NIN is verified, the system generates a digital certificate of incorporation and sends it directly to the applicant’s email — all within half an hour.
ADDRESSING POSSIBLE HICCUPS:
While the CAC is optimistic about delivering near-instant registrations, the agency admitted that identity verification — handled externally by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) — could occasionally cause delays. To tackle this, Magaji revealed that the Commission has integrated AI-powered photo ID matching to resolve verification issues quickly and reduce bottlenecks.
He described this blend of AI and advanced security as a major step towards making Nigeria a more business-friendly environment, enhancing the ease of starting and managing a company.
ADDITIONAL DIGITAL ENHANCEMENTS INCOMING;
The CAC isn’t stopping with just the new portal. Magaji disclosed plans to roll out further digital safeguards, including Two-Factor Authentication and OTP (One-Time Password) verification for all changes to company records. This added layer of security aims to prevent unauthorized alterations and ensure that only verified directors can approve critical changes.
A dedicated mobile application is also in the pipeline, with an expected launch before the end of 2025. The app will enable users to register businesses, monitor application statuses, and manage company details directly from their smartphones.
REVISED FEES AND CONTINUED REFORMS;
To support these tech upgrades and maintain quality standards, the Commission will adjust some of its service charges starting August 1, 2025. Magaji emphasized that the revision aligns with the Commission’s commitment to providing fast, reliable, and secure services.
The forum in Port Harcourt brought together influential stakeholders, with goodwill remarks from the Nigerian Bar Association, the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, and other key industry bodies. Their endorsements signal broad industry support for the CAC’s ongoing modernization drive.
BOTTOM LINE;
This fresh wave of technological innovation at the CAC underscores Nigeria’s broader push to ease doing business and attract investments. If the Commission delivers on its promise of sub-30-minute company registrations, it could set a new standard for business administration in Africa’s largest economy.
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