Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)

Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) – Full Guide for Nigerian Businesses

Introduction

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) is the official government agency in Nigeria responsible for regulating the formation, registration, and management of companies, business names, and incorporated trustees.

Established by the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), the CAC plays a vital role in ensuring that Nigerian businesses operate legally and transparently.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

• The history and functions of CAC
• Types of business registration under CAC
• Step-by-step CAC registration process
• How to use the CAC online portal
• Benefits of registering with CAC
• CAC contact details and FAQs

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What is the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)?

The Corporate Affairs Commission is a Nigerian federal agency under the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.

Its primary mandate is to:

• Regulate company formation
• Maintain a public registry of companies
• Monitor compliance with CAMA
• Provide information on registered businesses to the public

The CAC ensures that all registered businesses are recognized by law, thereby protecting the interests of owners, partners, and stakeholders.

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History of the Corporate Affairs Commission

The CAC was established in 1990 by the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) to replace the previous system of manual company registration.

Since its creation, the CAC has:

• Modernized company registration processes
• Introduced online registration via the CAC portal
• Enabled electronic certificate issuance
• Integrated digital payment systems for business registration

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Functions of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)

The CAC’s key functions include:

1. Company Incorporation
   • Registering private and public limited companies
   • Approving company names
   • Issuing certificates of incorporation
2. Business Name Registration
   • Registering sole proprietorships and partnerships
   • Maintaining a public database of registered names
3. Incorporated Trustees Registration
   • Registering NGOs, religious organizations, and charitable bodies
4. Regulation & Compliance Monitoring
   • Ensuring companies file annual returns
   • Monitoring changes in company structure
5. Public Records Access
   • Providing search services to confirm a company’s legal status

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Types of Registration Under CAC

The CAC offers several types of business registration:

1. Business Name Registration

• Ideal for sole proprietorships and small partnerships.
• Simple and affordable.
• Examples: small shops, freelancers, consultants.

2. Private Limited Liability Company (Ltd)

• Separate legal entity from owners.
• Protects personal assets from business debts.
• Requires a minimum of one shareholder.

3. Public Limited Liability Company (PLC)

• Suitable for large businesses seeking public investment.
• Shares can be traded on the stock exchange.

4. Incorporated Trustees

• For NGOs, religious bodies, foundations.
• Not-for-profit organizations.