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As it marks 35 years, the Corporate Affairs Commission deepens its shift to digital technology to boost speed, efficiency and ease of doing business in Nigeria.
CAC Expands Digital-First Service Delivery
The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has approved free business name registration for 3,500 small businesses across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), reinforcing its growing reliance on digital technology to drive faster, more efficient service delivery.
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The approval was announced in Abuja by the Registrar-General of the CAC, Hussaini Magaji, during events marking the Commission’s 35th anniversary.
Google Partnership to Strengthen Technology Infrastructure
In a major step toward modernising its operations, the CAC disclosed plans to formalise a collaboration with Google to further strengthen its technology framework and enhance service delivery.
According to Magaji, the partnership is expected to improve portal performance, system reliability and user experience. It will also support the Federal Government’s ease-of-doing-business reforms.
New Website, AI Lawyer and Business Name Generator
As part of its digital transformation drive, the CAC also unveiled a redesigned website. The new site is embedded with advanced digital tools aimed at simplifying regulatory compliance.
Key innovations include:
- AI Lawyer: An artificial intelligence-powered tool that provides instant guidance on CAC laws, procedures and regulatory requirements.
- Business Name Generator: A smart solution designed to help entrepreneurs quickly identify and reserve scalable business names.
Magaji said the new tools are designed to reduce turnaround time, eliminate bottlenecks and improve access to accurate information for entrepreneurs and professionals.
Free Registration to Support SMEs and Formalisation
The Registrar-General noted that the free business name registration initiative underscores the Commission’s commitment to entrepreneurship, reduced startup costs and inclusive economic growth.
By encouraging more small businesses to formalise, the programme aims to broaden access to government services. It will expand the portfolio for credit opportunities and participation in the formal economy.
A Technology-Driven Institution at 35
Reflecting on the Commission’s journey, Magaji described the CAC at 35 as a transformed, technology-driven institution focused on efficiency, transparency and global best practices.
“The CAC journey at 35 is a story of vision, courage, innovation and unwavering commitment to national development,” he said.
He added that digital adoption has become central to the Commission’s strategy. It is enabling faster registrations, improved compliance monitoring and better stakeholder engagement.
Investing in Talent and the Future
Beyond business registration reforms, the CAC also announced scholarships for six outstanding corporate law students from the Nigerian Law School for the 2026 academic year, as part of efforts to support capacity building within the corporate and legal ecosystem.
Driving Speed, Efficiency and Confidence
Stakeholders point to the CAC’s increasing reliance on digital tools as a defining shift in Nigeria’s corporate regulatory landscape.
AI technologies, platform upgrades, and strategic partnerships are at the heart of this transformation. The overarching goal, they say, is to rebuild trust and deliver faster, more efficient services to businesses.
Nigeria is accelerating its drive for economic diversification and SME growth. The Commission’s digital-first approach will be central to this effort. It is expected to strengthen business confidence and improve the overall investment climate in the country.
