Register your business name with CAC in 3–7 days
CAC business name registration for sole traders, shops, freelancers and small businesses anywhere in Nigeria. All-in from ₦25,000, certificate delivered as PDF.
A business name (also called an enterprise or sole proprietorship) is the simplest and cheapest way to make your business legal in Nigeria. It gives you a CAC certificate and BN number, lets you open a business bank account, use POS and payment gateways in your business name, and protects the name from anyone else registering it.
Topweb Technologies files your registration correctly the first time — name search, forms, CAC payment and follow-up — so you don’t deal with the CAC portal, rejected names or lost fees.
- All-in price: CAC fee + name reservation + service fee
- Same-day name availability check
- Fully online — no visit to CAC
- Daily WhatsApp updates
- Certificate + status report as PDF
- Optional hard copy delivered nationwide
Business name registration cost
| What you need | Official CAC fee | Topweb all-in price | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business name registration (single proprietor) | ₦10,000–₦20,000 filing + ₦1,000 name reservation | from ₦25,000 | 3–7 working days |
| Business name — partnership (2+ proprietors) | Same as above | from ₦40,000 | 3–7 working days |
| Add-on: TIN registration | Free at JTB/FIRS | from ₦10,000 | 2–5 working days |
| Add-on: logo + letterhead + ID card | — | from ₦15,000 | 3–5 working days |
CAC fees are set by the Corporate Affairs Commission and change from time to time; we confirm the live figure before you pay.
Documents needed to register a business name
- Two proposed business names (in order of preference)
- Nature of business (e.g. “general merchandise”, “fashion design”)
- Valid means of ID: NIN slip, international passport, driver’s licence or voter’s card
- Passport photograph (phone photo on a plain background is fine)
- Phone number and email address
- Residential address and business address
- Signature — a clear photo of your signature on white paper
- Date of birth and gender
Tip: give us two or three name options. If your first choice is taken, we move to the next one immediately instead of starting over.
Business name registration in 4 steps
Send your details on WhatsApp
Proposed names, ID and address. We check name availability the same day.
We prepare & file
We draft the forms, pay CAC and submit — no queues, no portal wahala.
We follow up daily
Any query from CAC is answered by us. You get a status update every step.
Certificate delivered
Your certificate and documents are sent to you as PDF and, if you want, hard copy.
Business name vs limited company
| Business name | Limited company | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it’s for | Sole traders, shops, freelancers | Companies with partners/investors, contracts | |
| Legal status | Not separate from the owner | Separate legal entity, limited liability | |
| Cost | from ₦25,000 | from ₦60,000 | |
| Timeline | 3–7 working days | 1–2 weeks | |
| Annual returns | ₦3,000/yr CAC fee | ₦5,000/yr CAC fee (small company) | |
| Government contracts | Limited | Yes |
Business name registration — frequently asked questions
How much does business name registration cost in Nigeria?
With Topweb it costs from ₦25,000 all-in. That covers the CAC filing fee (₦10,000–₦20,000 under the current schedule), the ₦1,000 name reservation and our service fee. You pay once; there are no extra charges when the certificate is ready.
How long does CAC business name registration take?
Typically 3–7 working days. Name reservation is usually approved within 24–48 hours; registration follows once the forms are filed. If CAC queries anything we respond the same day.
Can I register a business name online without going to CAC?
Yes. The whole process is online. You send your details on WhatsApp, we file, and you receive the certificate as a PDF. Clients in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, Enugu and abroad use us every week.
What names will CAC reject?
Names identical or too similar to an existing one, names with restricted words (Federal, National, Government, Bank, Chamber of Commerce, Holdings without justification, etc.), offensive names, and names that imply a company (Ltd, Plc) for a business name. We screen your names before filing so you don’t lose your fee.
Can a foreigner register a business name in Nigeria?
Business names are generally for Nigerian residents; foreigners are expected to register a company. If you are not resident in Nigeria, we’ll advise on the right structure.
Business name or limited company — which should I choose?
Choose a business name if you are a sole trader, freelancer, shop or small service business and want the cheapest, fastest option. Choose a limited company if you will have partners or investors, want limited liability, or plan to bid for government and corporate contracts. See limited company registration.
Can I upgrade my business name to a limited company later?
Yes. Many clients start with a business name and later incorporate a company. The company gets a new RC number; we can reserve a matching name for you.
What do I receive after registration?
Your CAC certificate of registration with your BN number, the status report/extract, and the approved application form. That is everything a bank needs to open your business account.
Just registered? Look the part.
Most clients bundle registration with branding and a website. Everything is delivered by one team, so it all matches.
Logo + letterhead + ID card
Branding packages from ₦15,000 — logo, complimentary card, letterhead and ID card.
Business website
Business websites from ₦200,000 — domain, hosting, CMS, on-page SEO and support included.
TIN registration
Get your Tax Identification Number for the new company — needed for the corporate account.
Register your business name today
Send your two proposed names on WhatsApp — we’ll confirm availability today and file immediately.