Starting a business is exciting! You have your big idea, you’re ready to serve customers, and you can’t wait to start making money.
But hold on—before you start telling everyone about your business, there’s an important step you shouldn’t skip: Registering your business name with CAC.
At MyDigitalHandle, we’ve helped many businesses in Nigeria register their names without stress. If you’re wondering how to register your business name, why it’s important, and how we can make it easier for you, you’re in the right place.
Let’s dive in!
What is CAC?
First things first: CAC stands for Corporate Affairs Commission.
It’s the government body in Nigeria that’s in charge of registering businesses.
Think of CAC as the official “birth certificate office” for businesses.
Once you register your business name with CAC, your business becomes official and recognized by law.
Without CAC registration, your business is just an idea. With registration, you have proof that your business exists—and that gives you more opportunities to grow.
Why Should You Register Your Business Name?
A lot of small businesses in Nigeria make the mistake of thinking they don’t need to register.
They think, “I’m just starting small. Let me wait till I blow first.”
That’s wrong thinking.
Here’s why registering your business name is super important:
1. It Makes You Look Professional
Imagine two tailors: one is “Blessing Fashion House” (registered), and the other is just “Ada Tailor” (no registration).
Who do you think customers will trust more?
Of course, the one with the registered name!
Having a CAC-registered business makes you look serious, trustworthy, and professional—even if you’re just starting out.
2. It Helps You Open a Business Bank Account
You can’t open a real business account without CAC documents.
And let’s be honest, when customers see a business account like “Blessing Fashion House Ltd.”, they feel safer paying you compared to a personal account like “Blessing Uche”.
Some clients, especially big companies, will even refuse to do business with you if you don’t have a registered business and an official account.
3. It Protects Your Business Name
Once you register your name, nobody else in Nigeria can register the same name or a very similar one.
Your brand is protected.
Imagine spending time building your brand, only for someone else to register it and take legal ownership. Painful, right?
4. It Gives You Access to Bigger Opportunities
When you have your CAC certificate, you can:
- Apply for grants and loans
- Bid for government contracts
- Work with bigger brands
- Register with online platforms that require CAC
Without registration, you are locking yourself out of many business opportunities.
5. It’s Required by Law
Running an unregistered business in Nigeria can get you into trouble.
Technically, if you’re making money and operating without registration, you’re breaking the law.
It’s better to be safe and do things the right way.
Now that you know why it’s important, let’s move on to the how.
How to Register Your Business Name with CAC
Registering your business name is not hard, but if you don’t know the process, it can get confusing and stressful.
Good news: we’re here to break it down for you step-by-step.
Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Choose Your Business Name
Before anything else, you need to decide on a name for your business.
It could be anything, but here are a few tips:
- Keep it simple and easy to remember
- Make sure it’s related to what you do
- Try to be unique (there are thousands of businesses already!)
You can come up with 2-3 name options because sometimes your first choice might already be taken.
Example:
If you sell cakes, you could try:
- Sweet Moments Cakes
- Blissful Bakes
- Cake Villa
Step 2: Check if the Name is Available
After picking your names, the next thing is a name search. This is where CAC checks if the name you want is still available. If someone else already registered it, you’ll need to choose another name.
- At MyDigitalHandle, we help you run the name search quickly so you don’t waste time. No need to stress—we handle it for you.
Step 3: Reserve Your Business Name
If your name is available, the next step is to reserve it with CAC. Name reservation means CAC will “hold” that name for you for 60 days while you complete the registration.
It’s like putting a “reserved” sign on a table at a restaurant—you’re telling everyone, “This name is mine!”
We take care of the reservation process for our clients. You don’t have to lift a finger.
Step 4: Fill Out the Registration Forms
After reserving the name, you will need to fill out some forms.
You’ll provide information like:
- Your name
- Your business address
- Your type of business
- Nature of your business (what you do)
- Owner’s details (your age, nationality, etc.)
Don’t worry if this sounds like a lot.
At MyDigitalHandle, we help you fill out the forms correctly, so there are no mistakes.
Step 5: Pay the CAC Registration Fee
There’s a government fee you must pay to complete your registration.
It’s usually affordable, especially when you compare it to all the benefits you get once you’re registered.
We’ll guide you through the payment process safely. No scams, no confusion.
Step 6: Get Your Business Name Certificate
After you’ve filled the forms and paid the fee, CAC will process your registration.
Once it’s approved, you’ll get your CAC Certificate of Registration! This certificate is your proof that your business is official.
You’ll also get a Business Name Extract, which has your business details clearly printed. We send your certificate to you as soon as it’s ready both in soft copy and, if needed, printed hard copy.
Why Use MyDigitalHandle for Your CAC Registration?
You might be wondering, “Can I register my business by myself?” The truth is: you can’t. Yes, CAC has an online portal, but that doesn’t mean the process is DIY-friendly. In fact, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) expects your registration to be done properly and that often means going through a trained expert.
People who try to do it themselves usually get stuck, confused, or worse—end up with a rejected application. Why? Because CAC has strict rules, technical steps, and hidden requirements that most people simply don’t know. One wrong move and you’re back to square one.
This is not something you guess through. That’s why MyDigitalHandle exists—to help people like you register their business the right way, the first time.
Here’s what we handle for you:
- We make sure your business name gets approved
- We handle all CAC paperwork, submissions, and follow-up
- We ensure you meet all legal and technical requirements
- We save you from delays, rejection, or starting over
- We get your registration done fast and stress-free
Bottom line? If you want your business legally registered, you need an expert—because that’s what CAC expects.
Ready to get it done right?
Contact us today at MyDigitalHandle, and let’s get your business officially registered—without the headache.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: How long does it take to register a business name with CAC?
Usually, it takes about 5 to 10 working days if everything is correct and complete.
At MyDigitalHandle, we work hard to make it even faster for you!
Q2: Can I register my business name even if I don’t have a shop yet?
Yes, you can!
You don’t need a physical shop.
You can register with your home address or any location you’re operating from.
As you grow, you can always update your address later.
Q3: What documents do I need to register?
A:
It’s simple.
You mostly need:
- A valid means of identification (like a National ID, Voter’s Card, Driver’s License, or International Passport)
- Your basic personal details
- Your business name ideas We’ll guide you on anything else if needed.
Q4: Can I register more than one business name?
A:
Yes, you can!
There’s no limit.
As long as you follow the right steps for each business, you can own as many registered business names as you want.
Q5: What if my business name is already taken?
A:
No worries!
We’ll help you come up with slight changes or suggest new names that still fit your brand.
It’s part of the service we offer at MyDigitalHandle—making sure you don’t get stuck.