If you sell anything — food, clothes, data, services, whatever — you can and should register a business name in Nigeria. It's the cheapest form of CAC registration, it lets you open a bank account in your business's name, and it makes you look legit to customers and suppliers. Best of all, you can do it entirely online in 2026 without leaving your house. This guide shows you exactly how, in plain steps, like a friend walking you through it over the phone.

Subpadi has supported Nigerian hustlers and small businesses since 2013, so we've kept this as simple and low-cost as it gets.

Business Name vs Limited Company — a 20-second check

A Business Name is the right choice if you're a sole trader or a small operation and you mainly want to look official and open a business bank account. It's cheaper, faster, and needs fewer documents.

Choose a Limited Company instead if you want a separate legal entity, plan to bring in shareholders or investors, or want your personal assets protected. It costs more and takes a little longer. If that sounds more like you, jump to our full CAC company registration guide. Otherwise, keep reading — a Business Name it is.

What you need before you start

Get these ready so you can finish in one sitting:

  • Your proposed business name, plus one backup in case the first is taken.
  • Your NIN and a valid means of ID (international passport, driver's licence, voter's card, or National ID).
  • A clear, recent passport photograph.
  • Your residential and business addresses, phone number, and email.
  • A one-line description of what your business does.

That's genuinely all you need for a Business Name.

Step-by-step: register your business name online

The whole process happens on the CAC portal at pre.cac.gov.ng.

Step 1 — Create your account. Sign up on the portal with your name, email, and phone number. You'll get login details for the rest of the process.

Step 2 — Search and reserve your name. Use the name-search tool to check your proposed name is free and not too similar to an existing one. If it's available, reserve it — this is where your backup name saves the day if the first is rejected. Name reservation costs around ₦500–₦1,000, and an approved name is held for you for 60 days.

Step 3 — Fill in the registration form. Once your name is approved, enter your details: the nature of your business, your address, and the owner's information. Upload your passport photograph and ID.

Step 4 — Pay the fee. Pay online by card or Remita. You'll get a receipt and a tracking number. (For the full 2026 numbers, see our guide on how much CAC registration costs.)

Step 5 — Submit and track. Submit your application and keep the tracking number. If CAC raises a query, just correct what's flagged and resubmit — it's usually something small.

Step 6 — Download your certificate. A Business Name is typically approved within about 24–72 hours. Once approved, download your Certificate of Registration and status report. Congratulations — you're officially in business.

How to pick a name that gets approved

A surprising number of applications get delayed simply because of the name. CAC will reject a name that's identical or too similar to an existing business, one that uses restricted words (like "federal," "national," "bank," or "holdings") without special permission, or one that's misleading about what you do. To save yourself a rejection, keep your name distinctive, avoid copying a well-known brand, and steer clear of restricted words unless you genuinely qualify for them. Do a quick name search first, and always go in with a backup name ready — that way, if your first choice clashes with something already on the register, you switch to the second and keep moving instead of starting over.

What to do once you're registered

With your certificate you can walk into any bank and open a corporate account in your business's name, which instantly makes you look more trustworthy to customers paying you. It's also the natural moment to set up a proper online presence — a simple website and a business email address go a long way. When you're ready, our guide on creating a professional website for your business takes it from here.

Prefer to skip the portal entirely?

Some people just want it done. If you'd rather hand over your details and receive your certificate without touching the portal, an accredited agent can register your business name for you for a service fee. That's one of the things Subpadi's business services handle — quickly, and at a fair price. Whether you DIY or hand it off, registering your business name is one of the smartest, cheapest first steps you can take.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to register a business name in Nigeria? Usually about 24–72 hours from a correctly completed application, though it can occasionally take a little longer during busy periods.

Can I register a business name online by myself? Yes. The entire process runs on the CAC portal at pre.cac.gov.ng, and an individual can complete it without an agent or lawyer.

What documents do I need to register a business name? Your NIN and a valid ID, a recent passport photograph, your residential and business addresses, contact details, and a short description of your business.

How much does it cost to register a business name? Doing it yourself, budget roughly ₦11,000–₦21,000 all-in depending on the current CAC filing fee. Always confirm the live figure on the CAC portal before paying.

Can two businesses have the same name? No. CAC won't approve a name that's identical or confusingly similar to one already registered — which is exactly why you should have a backup name ready.

Fees and timelines are 2026 estimates and can change. Always confirm current figures on the official CAC portal (pre.cac.gov.ng) before you pay.