FG opens free CAC registration for 250,000 small businesses: five steps to apply

The Federal Government is offering free Corporate Affairs Commission business name registration to 250,000 eligible nano, micro and small businesses. The scheme is being implemented with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria and is aimed at unregistered sole proprietorships and partnerships.

Applicants need a valid National Identification Number and a SMEDAN account. Applications go through the official SMEDAN portal at https://portal.smedan.gov.ng/. Business owners should confirm the free registration window is still open before submitting details.

Who qualifies

The programme covers businesses that have not been registered with the CAC. Eligible applicants must operate a sole proprietorship or partnership seeking business name registration. Limited liability companies, incorporated trustees and non-governmental organisations are not covered.

Applicants must have a valid NIN for identity verification. They also need to create an account on the SMEDAN portal before they can complete the business profile.

Five steps to apply

Step 1: Create a SMEDAN account. Visit https://portal.smedan.gov.ng/ and select the registration or sign-up option. Provide your first name, surname, email address and password. Follow the verification instructions sent to your email before proceeding.

Step 2: Complete your business profile. Log in to the SMEDAN dashboard and provide the required business information. Applicants whose businesses are not registered with the CAC should indicate their unregistered status. Provide the proposed business name, telephone number, business address, state, local government area and year of commencement. You may also need to disclose business activities, estimated turnover and number of employees.

Step 3: Obtain your SMEDAN identification number. Submit the business profile for processing. Successful SMEDAN registration generates a unique identification number, commonly called the SUIN. The number identifies the business within the SMEDAN database but does not replace CAC registration.

Step 4: Complete CAC registration requirements. Where the free registration option is available, follow the CAC registration instructions provided through the SMEDAN platform. Applicants may be required to submit their NIN, undergo identity verification and provide preferred business names. Accurate information helps avoid processing delays.

Step 5: Check approval and download certificate. Monitor the dashboard for updates after submitting the application. Once the CAC approves the business name registration, successful applicants should follow the instructions to access the registration certificate and status report. Processing periods may vary with verification requirements and application volumes.

What to watch

Business owners should avoid anyone demanding payment to secure registration slots or accelerate approval. The government-backed initiative covers eligible business name registration fees. Applicants should rely on official CAC and SMEDAN communication channels.

A SMEDAN identification number does not automatically guarantee selection or approval for free CAC registration. Applicants should confirm the free registration window remains open before submitting information.

Separately, SMEDAN has opened applications for 25,000 Nigerian micro, small and medium-sized enterprises to access digital credits worth up to ₦20 billion with Zoho. The initiative is aimed at easing operating costs and improving access to modern technology.

For nano and micro businesses, the free CAC window removes a cost barrier to formalisation and could help more operators join the formal economy.