In a bold step toward revolutionising Nigeria’s business landscape, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has launched a new Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven registration portal designed to make business registration faster, smarter, and more seamless than ever. The announcement was made by the Registrar-General/CEO of CAC, Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, SAN, during the Commission’s 2025 Stakeholders Forum held in Port Harcourt.
“The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has announced the take-off of a pilot new Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered registration portal. A major game changer for doing business in Nigeria is part of CAC’s transformative initiatives, signalling a complete overhaul of the Company Registration Portal (CRP),” the statement read.
Instant Name Reservations, Smarter Approvals
One of the most exciting upgrades is the AI-powered system’s ability to provide instant name approvals. No more long waits or frustrating back-and-forth—now, the portal intelligently suggests alternative names if your preferred option isn’t available. Magaji likened the simplicity of the new process to creating an email account.
“Name reservation under the new system is now as simple as opening an email account,” he noted.
Even more impressive? Entrepreneurs can kick off their registration using just their National Identification Number (NIN). Once verified, the system automatically generates and delivers the Certificate of Registration straight to the applicant’s email in under 30 minutes.
“CAC’s target time for business registration was now under 30 minutes to generate a certificate and deliver to the customer’s email, subject to real-time NIN verification,” Magaji emphasised.
AI Tackles NIN Verification Delays
Of course, no tech is without challenges. Magaji acknowledged that delays may still arise, particularly during identity verification with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). But CAC is one step ahead. With an AI-powered photo ID matching system as a backup, the portal is equipped to navigate these delays and keep things moving smoothly.
“The introduction of AI in the registration process is a game-changer for doing business in Nigeria,” Magaji said, stressing how it supports CAC’s vision for faster and more reliable services.
More Innovations on the Horizon
But that’s not all. The CAC is rolling out even more digital services in the months ahead, among them:
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) and One-Time Password (OTP) verification for all transactions. This means no changes can be made to any company’s records without the full consent and awareness of registered directors.
A CAC Mobile App, launching by the last quarter of 2025, will enable users to register businesses, track applications, and access company data all from their phones.
Updated Service Fees to Support Better Delivery
To keep up with the quality and scale of its new digital services, CAC also announced a review of service fees, effective August 1, 2025. According to Magaji, the fee revision is necessary to maintain high standards and support the Commission’s ongoing tech transformation.
The event was not just about CAC’s updates alone; it also brought together key players from Nigeria’s business and legal communities.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (Port Harcourt branch), Cordelia U. Eke, commended the initiative, noting its potential to enhance transparency and efficiency in business registration. Sir Sebastian Essien, Chairman of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSAN), highlighted how the new system could drastically reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks. The Chairman of the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), Elder Dogala Sakpege, praised the move as a significant boost for MSMEs across the country.
Dr. Mechi Brown, Director of Industry, Rivers State Ministry of Commerce and Industry, also lent her support, calling it a “progressive stride for the Nigerian business climate.”
Miema Akpa, representing the Chairman of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (Port Harcourt branch), emphasised the importance of leveraging such innovations to foster a more inclusive business environment.