CAC Offers Free Business Registration for 3,500 SMEs Nationwide
By 𝔸bdulrazak Tomiwa
The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has announced a new initiative to provide free business name registration for 3,500 small businesses across Nigeria. Registrar General Hussaini Magaji disclosed this during the Commission’s 35th-anniversary celebration in Abuja.
The move is designed to lower the barriers to formalization for micro and small enterprises.
The free slots will be distributed across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This program aims to help small business owners gain legal recognition, enabling them to access government services and financing.
By formalizing their operations, entrepreneurs can participate more effectively in the national economy.
Regarding the scope of this anniversary giveaway, the Registrar General stated: “In the spirit of the celebration, the CAC Boss announced Free Business Name Registration for 3,500 small businesses, to be distributed across the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory.”
Magaji also revealed that the CAC is deepening its technological capabilities through a new partnership with Google.
This collaboration is intended to improve the Commission’s digital infrastructure and enhance the ease of doing business. The partnership will focus on optimizing the CAC portal for better performance and speed.
In addition to the Google partnership, the CAC launched a redesigned website featuring advanced digital tools.
New features include an “AI Lawyer” to guide users through legal procedures and a business name generator to simplify registration. These innovations are part of a broader shift toward making the agency more technology-driven and transparent.
While encouraging registration, the CAC also emphasized the importance of compliance for existing companies. Magaji noted that over 400,000 inactive companies were deregistered in 2025 for failing to meet statutory requirements.
The Commission remains committed to maintaining a credible and active national register of businesses.
