“How much is CAC registration?” is the first question every new business owner asks — and the answers online range from ₦5,000 to ₦150,000. This guide breaks down the official CAC fees for 2026, what agents actually charge, and what a realistic all-in budget looks like for each type of registration.
Official CAC fees in 2026
The Corporate Affairs Commission publishes a fee schedule. These are the government fees you pay to CAC itself — before any agent’s service fee:
| Item | CAC fee |
|---|---|
| Name reservation (all types) | ₦1,000 |
| Business name registration | ₦10,000 (₦20,000 under the 2025 gazette where applied) |
| Private limited company — share capital up to ₦1m | ₦30,000 |
| Private limited company — ₦1m to ₦500m | ₦30,000 for the first ₦1m + ₦5,000 per additional ₦1m |
| Stamp duty on share capital | 0.75% of authorised share capital |
| Incorporated trustees | CAC fee + two newspaper publications |
| Annual returns — business name | ₦3,000 per year |
| Annual returns — small company | ₦5,000 per year |
| Certified true copy of certificate | ₦5,000 – ₦10,000 per document |
Fees change from time to time and are sometimes applied inconsistently during transitions. Always confirm the live figure on the CAC portal or with your agent before paying.
Business name registration cost
A business name (enterprise / sole proprietorship) is the cheapest option. Realistic 2026 budget:
| Route | Total cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Do it yourself on the CAC portal | ₦11,000 – ₦21,000 | CAC fee + name reservation. Add repeat fees if your name is rejected. |
| Through an accredited agent | ₦20,000 – ₦45,000 | Includes CAC fees + service fee. Should include name screening and follow-up. |
| Topweb Technologies | from ₦25,000 all-in | CAC fee, name reservation, filing, follow-up and PDF certificate. 3–7 working days. |
Limited company (Ltd) registration cost
A private limited company costs more because of the ₦30,000 filing fee, stamp duty on the share capital, and more documentation (memorandum and articles, directors, shareholders).
| Share capital | CAC fee | Stamp duty | Typical all-in (agent) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₦100,000 (legal minimum) | ₦30,000 | ₦750 | ₦60,000 – ₦100,000 |
| ₦1,000,000 (most common) | ₦30,000 | ₦7,500 | ₦70,000 – ₦150,000 |
| ₦10,000,000 | ₦75,000 | ₦75,000 | ₦180,000 – ₦300,000 |
| ₦100,000,000 (foreign-owned minimum) | ₦525,000 | ₦750,000 | ₦1.5m+ |
Most Nigerian SMEs register with ₦1,000,000 share capital — banks and tender boards expect at least that. Topweb charges from ₦60,000 all-in for a ₦1m company, including stamp duty.
NGO, church and association (incorporated trustees) cost
Incorporated trustees is the most expensive registration because CAC requires the notice of registration to be published in two national newspapers, plus a constitution, trustees’ declarations and minutes. Budget ₦150,000 – ₦300,000 all-in depending on the newspapers used. Topweb charges from ₦150,000 including publications and constitution drafting.
Hidden and extra costs to budget for
- Rejected name: if your name is refused you pay the reservation fee again. Screen names first.
- Stamp duty: often left out of “cheap” quotes for companies.
- Certified true copies: ₦5,000–₦10,000 each if you need certified documents for a bank or tender.
- TIN: free from FIRS/JTB, but agents charge ₦5,000–₦15,000 to do it.
- SCUML: free from EFCC, agents charge ₦20,000–₦70,000 depending on entity type.
- Annual returns: ₦3,000–₦5,000 per year to CAC, plus penalties if late. Your first is due 18 months after registration.
DIY vs using an agent
You can register on the CAC portal yourself and save ₦10,000–₦25,000. It makes sense if you are comfortable with online forms, your name is clearly unique and you don’t need it urgently. Use an agent if you want it done in days, you are registering a company or NGO, or you have had a name rejected before. The agent’s fee is usually less than the cost of one rejected application plus your time.
Topweb Technologies all-in prices (2026)
| Registration | All-in price | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Business name | from ₦25,000 | 3–7 working days |
| Private limited company (₦1m share capital) | from ₦60,000 | 1–2 weeks |
| Incorporated trustees (NGO, church, association) | from ₦150,000 | 4–8 weeks |
| Annual returns | from ₦20,000 / year | 1–3 working days |
| CAC status report / CTC | from ₦20,000 | 1–3 working days |
All prices include CAC fees, name reservation and (for companies) stamp duty. Nationwide, fully online, WhatsApp updates. See all CAC registration services.
Frequently asked questions
How much is CAC registration for a business name in 2026?
The CAC filing fee is ₦10,000 (₦20,000 under the newest gazetted schedule where applied) plus ₦1,000 name reservation. Doing it yourself costs ₦11,000–₦21,000; through an agent expect ₦20,000–₦45,000 all-in. Topweb charges from ₦25,000 all-in.
How much does it cost to register a limited company?
CAC charges ₦30,000 for a private company with share capital up to ₦1,000,000, plus stamp duty on the share capital and ₦1,000 name reservation. Agents charge ₦60,000–₦150,000 all-in. Topweb charges from ₦60,000 all-in for ₦1m share capital.
Is there any free CAC registration?
CAC occasionally runs subsidised or “free” business-name windows for small businesses (e.g. through SMEDAN or state programmes). Outside those windows there is no free registration. Be wary of anyone advertising “free CAC registration” — the CAC fee always has to be paid to CAC.
Why do agents quote such different prices?
Because some quote only the service fee and add CAC fees later, some include stamp duty and some don’t, and some bundle TIN or a CTC. Always ask for an itemised, all-in quote.