CAC Business Name Registration in Lagos State

If you’re building a business in Lagos, in a market this competitive, a registered business name is often what separates you from the next trader or vendor — it’s what lets banks, suppliers, and customers deal with you as a real business rather than a side hustle. We’re a CAC-accredited agent, and we handle the full registration in Lagos State for ₦35,500 all-inclusive, covering the government filing fee and our service fee together (a Limited Liability Company registration is ₦65,500 all-inclusive). Whether you’re on Lagos Island, the Mainland, or out toward Ikorodu or Badagry, the process runs entirely online — no visit to a CAC office required.

This guide covers registration costs, requirements, the businesses Lagos entrepreneurs register most, and answers to common questions from clients across the state.

What’s Included in the ₦35,500

• Business name availability search
• Business name reservation
• Completion and submission of the CAC application
• CAC government filing/processing fee
• Your Certificate of Registration (soft copy)
• A CAC Status Report confirming your business is active on the public register

What’s Not Usually Included

• Physical/printed copies of your certificate (delivered as soft copy; you print locally)
• Tax Identification Number (TIN) registration for Business Names (included automatically for Limited Liability Companies at ₦65,500)
• Annual returns filing in future years — a separate, recurring cost

Business Name vs. Limited Liability Company Cost

Businesses Lagos Entrepreneurs Most Often Register

Lagos handles the bulk of Nigeria’s cargo traffic, hosts headline markets like Balogun, Alaba International, and Computer Village, and anchors the country’s banking and fintech industry from Victoria Island and Ikoyi — all of which shapes what we register most across the state:

📋 CAC Business Name Registration

💰 Cost: ₦35,500 (All-Inclusive) ⏱️ Turnaround Time: 5 – 7 Working Days ✅ What You Get: Official CAC Certificate + Certified Status Report 🚚 Delivery: Soft Copy Sent via WhatsApp (Print Hard Copy Locally)

START REGISTRATION NOW →

• General trading and fashion wholesale (Balogun, Lagos Island) — Balogun’s textile, fabric, and accessories trade is one of the busiest wholesale sectors in West Africa, and registered trading businesses are the norm rather than the exception.
• Electronics and phone/gadget sales (Alaba International, Computer Village) — as Africa’s largest electronics and ICT accessory markets, Alaba in Ojo and Computer Village in Ikeja support a huge base of registered import, retail, and repair businesses.
• Auto parts and spares (Ladipo Market) — Ladipo’s auto spare-parts trade supports registered import and retail businesses serving buyers across Nigeria.
• Food and produce trading (Mile 12 Market) — Lagos’s largest food market drives registered wholesale and retail businesses in tomatoes, grains, and other staples.
• Fintech, tech, and startup services (Yaba, Victoria Island) — Lagos’s tech corridor and financial district support a steady stream of registered software, fintech-adjacent, and digital services businesses.
• Import/export and logistics (Apapa, Tin Can) — with Lagos handling the majority of Nigeria’s cargo, registered clearing, forwarding, and logistics businesses are common around the ports.

Why Lagos Business Owners Actually Register

Beyond the certificate itself, a registered business name is what unlocks specific things you’ll likely need in the first year:

• Opening a business account with fintech providers — Moniepoint, OPay Business, Kuda Business, and PalmPay Business accounts typically require a CAC certificate to open the business tier, not just a personal wallet.
• Applying for institutional funding — programs like the Bank of Industry (BOI), NIRSAL, and the Tony Elumelu Foundation generally require a registered business to receive and manage disbursed funds, even where the initial application stage doesn’t.
• Bidding on contracts or registering as a vendor — corporate procurement and marketplace seller programs, including Jumia and Konga’s verified seller tiers, commonly require business registration for professional seller status.
• Building credibility on social platforms — a CAC certificate is one of the documents Meta accepts toward its verified business badge on Instagram and Facebook.
• Importing or exporting goods — with Apapa and Tin Can handling most of Nigeria’s trade volume, a registered business name is required for the documentation formal import/export activity depends on.
• Invoicing formally as a freelancer or consultant — registration lets you bill clients under a business name rather than personally, which many corporate clients require before they’ll pay.

Requirements for CAC Business Name Registration in Lagos

1. Two proposed business names, ranked in order of preference
2. A valid means of ID — National ID (NIN), international passport, or driver’s license
3. A passport photograph
4. Your business address in Lagos State — a home address is acceptable if you don’t yet have commercial premises
5. Phone number and email address
6. Nature of business — a specific description matched to CAC’s approved business-line list

Step-by-Step: How to Register in Lagos

1. Check name availability on CAC’s public search portal.
2. Reserve the name once confirmed available.
3. Complete the application with your business details and Lagos address.
4. Upload your ID and passport photograph.
5. Pay the ₦35,500 filing fee.
6. Receive your Certificate of Registration and Status Report, typically within 5–7 working days.

📋 CAC Business Name Registration

💰 Cost: ₦35,500 (All-Inclusive) ⏱️ Turnaround Time: 5 – 7 Working Days ✅ What You Get: Official CAC Certificate + Certified Status Report 🚚 Delivery: Soft Copy Sent via WhatsApp (Print Hard Copy Locally)

START REGISTRATION NOW →

Registering a Different Kind of Business Entirely

Trading, tech, and logistics dominate registrations in Lagos, but they’re far from the only businesses we handle. These come through just as routinely:

• Fashion design, tailoring, and beauty services
• Restaurants, bars, and catering
• Construction and building materials
• Education and training services
• Media, entertainment, and content production
• Healthcare and pharmacy-related services
• Real estate and property management
• Transport and haulage
• Auto parts and repair services
• Event planning services

The cost, process, and timeline stay the same no matter which category fits your business.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does CAC business name registration cost in Lagos? ₦35,500 all-inclusive for a Business Name, ₦65,500 for a Limited Liability Company — CAC’s national pricing applies the same way across every state.

Can I register a market trading, electronics, or import/export business? Yes — market trading, electronics retail, and import/export businesses register as standard Business Names, the same as any other category.

Do I need to visit a CAC office in Lagos to register? No. The full process happens online regardless of where in Lagos you’re based.

How long does registration take? Typically 5–7 working days when the application clears on the first submission.

What if my proposed business name isn’t available? You’ll submit a backup name — having two or three ready in advance avoids losing time to a second search.

Do I need an accredited agent to register? For a professional service and result, yes — using an accredited agent avoids the errors that commonly delay applications filed independently. We are a CAC-accredited agent, and we’ll handle your entire registration professionally, from name search through certificate delivery.

Ready to register your business in Lagos? Chat with us on WhatsApp →