How Much Does CAC Registration Cost in Nigeria (2026)?

Short answer: the CAC registration cost in Nigeria depends on two things — what you're registering (a Business Name or a Limited Company) and whether you do it yourself or pay someone to handle it. In this guide we break down the real 2026 numbers plainly, including the small extras nobody warns you about, so you can budget with confidence. No inflated quotes, no hidden charges — just your savvy friend showing you exactly where every naira goes.

Subpadi has helped Nigerians with the digital side of business since 2013, and we believe you deserve the cheapest honest route, not the most expensive one.

A quick note on why prices vary

Before the numbers: CAC fees have been adjusted in recent times, and different vendors and agents quote wildly different amounts. Some of the figures you'll see online are out of date, and some bundle an agent's service fee into what they call the "CAC fee." So treat every figure — including ours — as a guide, and always confirm the live amount on the official CAC portal (pre.cac.gov.ng) before you pay. With that said, here's a realistic 2026 picture.

Cost of registering a Business Name

A Business Name is the cheaper, simpler option — ideal for sole traders, freelancers, and small shops. Budget for these parts:

The name reservation (checking and locking your proposed name) costs roughly ₦500–₦1,000. The registration/filing fee paid to CAC is the main cost; depending on the current schedule this has been quoted anywhere from about ₦10,000 up to ₦20,000 in 2026, so confirm the live figure before paying. You'll also pay a small payment-gateway charge of around ₦160 per transaction.

Doing it yourself, a realistic all-in total for a Business Name is roughly ₦11,000–₦21,000, depending on the current CAC filing fee.

If you'd rather an accredited agent handle everything, add a service fee on top — agents typically charge somewhere around ₦20,000–₦45,000 all-in for a Business Name, depending on how much hand-holding you want.

Cost of registering a Limited Company (Ltd)

A Limited Company costs a bit more because there are extra documents and a government stamp duty involved. The pieces are:

Name reservation at around ₦500–₦1,000. The CAC filing fee, which for a company with share capital up to ₦1 million is commonly around ₦10,000 (companies with larger share capital pay more — roughly ₦5,000 for each additional ₦1 million, so higher capital means a higher fee). Then FIRS stamp duty, which is separate from CAC and runs at about ₦8,500 for the first ₦1 million of share capital (roughly 0.75% thereafter). Plus the usual gateway charge of around ₦160.

Doing it yourself, a Limited Company with ₦1 million share capital realistically lands around ₦19,000–₦30,000 all-in. Through an agent, expect roughly ₦30,000–₦65,000 including their service fee.

The extras people forget to budget for

A few costs sneak up on first-timers. If you increase your share capital for a company, both the CAC fee and the stamp duty go up with it, so don't inflate your share capital unnecessarily. If CAC issues a query, fixing and resubmitting can cost a little time (and an agent may charge to handle it). And if you later need a Certified True Copy of your documents or a change of details, those are separate filings with their own fees. None of these are huge, but knowing about them keeps your budget honest.

Is it cheaper to do it yourself or use an agent?

Purely on price, doing it yourself is always cheaper — you only pay the government fees. Using an agent costs more but buys you convenience and someone to chase the process, handle queries, and make sure the paperwork is right the first time. If you're comfortable following steps online and have your documents ready, our step-by-step CAC registration guide walks you through the DIY route. If you'd rather not touch the portal at all, Subpadi's business services can handle it for you at a fair, transparent price. Either way, you'll know exactly what you're paying and why.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to register a business name with CAC in 2026? Doing it yourself, budget roughly ₦11,000–₦21,000 all-in, depending on the current CAC filing fee. Through an agent, expect around ₦20,000–₦45,000 including their service fee. Always confirm the live figure on the CAC portal.

How much does it cost to register a limited company in Nigeria? For a company with ₦1 million share capital, a DIY total is roughly ₦19,000–₦30,000 (CAC fee plus FIRS stamp duty). With an agent, expect around ₦30,000–₦65,000.

Is the CAC registration fee a one-time payment? The registration fee itself is one-time. However, companies have ongoing obligations like annual returns, and separate fees apply if you later change your details or request certified copies.

Why do different websites quote different CAC prices? Because fees have changed recently and many sites bundle an agent's service fee into the "CAC cost." Some figures are also simply out of date. Always confirm the current government fee on the official CAC portal.

Does share capital affect the cost? Yes. For a Limited Company, a higher share capital raises both the CAC filing fee and the FIRS stamp duty, so only set the share capital you actually need.

All figures are 2026 estimates and can change without notice. Confirm the current government fees on the official CAC portal (pre.cac.gov.ng) before paying. Stamp duty is charged by the FIRS, not CAC.