The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has introduced a new AI-driven portal that will make registering a business in Nigeria faster and easier, with certificates delivered in under 30 minutes.
At the CAC’s 2025 Stakeholders Forum in Port Harcourt, Registrar-General Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, SAN, announced the launch of the AI-powered registration system. This new portal is designed to replace the old Company Registration Portal (CRP) with smarter technology that speeds up name approvals and registration processes.
With the AI system, business owners can reserve company names instantly. If a preferred name is taken, the system suggests alternatives automatically. Registration now only requires the National Identification Number (NIN) of a director or proprietor. Once the NIN is verified, the system generates and sends the certificate of registration directly to the applicant’s email, usually within 30 minutes.
Magaji explained that while some delays may happen due to external checks with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the portal uses AI-powered photo ID matching to reduce these hold-ups. “Our goal is to make business registration fast, smart, and reliable,” he said.
The CAC also revealed plans to add Two-Factor Authentication and OTP verification to secure company records. A mobile app is expected by the end of 2025, allowing users to manage registrations and track applications on their phones.
However, starting August 1, 2025, the CAC will increase some service fees to support these technological upgrades and maintain quality service.
Industry leaders at the forum, including representatives from the Nigerian Bar Association and Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, praised the CAC’s efforts to modernize business registration.
This AI-powered portal is a major step toward simplifying business startup in Nigeria, saving entrepreneurs time and effort. The CAC’s innovation could boost Nigeria’s business environment and encourage more formal entrepreneurship.
