CAC Unveils AI-Driven Registration Platform to Transform Business Registration in Nigeria
In a major digital leap, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has launched an AI-powered company registration portal designed to revolutionise business registration in Nigeria. The announcement was made by Registrar-General/CEO, Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, SAN, during the 2025 Stakeholders Forum in Port Harcourt.
The new platform introduces a fully automated, intelligent system that simplifies the process of reserving business names and registering companies, reducing turnaround time to less than 30 minutes.
Instant Name Reservations and Smart Approvals
According to the Registrar-General, the newly overhauled portal:
- Instantly approves business names
- Uses AI to suggest alternatives if a preferred name is unavailable
- Allows registrations to begin with just a National Identification Number (NIN)
- Sends the registration certificate via email upon NIN verification—all within 30 minutes
“Business name reservation is now as simple as opening an email account,” said Magaji. This feature marks a complete overhaul of the Commission’s former Company Registration Portal (CRP).
AI Overcomes NIN Verification Delays
While NIN verification may sometimes be delayed due to external systems like the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the CAC has built a contingency mechanism into the platform.
An AI-powered photo ID matching tool has been integrated to bypass identity verification hurdles and ensure a seamless user experience, making this platform a game-changer for business owners in Nigeria.
Upcoming Features: CAC Mobile App and Enhanced Security
The CAC also revealed plans to roll out more digital services before the end of 2025, including:
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) and OTP Verification
All transactions on the platform will be protected by 2FA, ensuring no unauthorised changes can be made to company records without the full consent of registered directors.
CAC Mobile App Launch (Q4 2025)
The mobile app will enable users to:
- Track registration applications
- Carry out secure transactions
- Access and manage company records on the go
Service Fee Review Takes Effect August 1, 2025
To support these innovations and maintain high service quality, the CAC announced a review of service fees, which will take effect from August 1, 2025. According to the Commission, the adjustment reflects the growing investment in AI infrastructure and service optimisation.
Stakeholder Endorsements at the Forum
The launch received commendation from several industry stakeholders present at the Port Harcourt forum, including:
- Cordelia U. Eke, Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (Port Harcourt Branch)
- Sir Sebastian Essien, Chairman, Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSAN)
- Elder Dogala Sakpege, Chairman, Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME)
- Dr. Mechi Brown, Director of Industry, Rivers State Ministry of Commerce and Industry
- Miema Akpa, representative of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN)
Their collective feedback underscored broad industry support for CAC’s digital transformation and commitment to ease of doing business in Nigeria.
Conclusion
The CAC’s AI-powered business registration portal is a bold step toward improving Nigeria’s business environment. With the promise of 30-minute company registration, intelligent name suggestions, and robust identity verification systems, CAC is setting a new benchmark for government digital services in Africa.
