This initiative is part of a broader reform agenda aimed at overhauling existing company registration portals (CRPs) to enhance the ease of business in Nigeria.
Corporate Affairs Committee (CAC) We launched a new AI-powered business registration portal, marking important milestones in our journey of digital transformation for corporate services in Nigeria. The announcement was made by Registrar and CEO, Sun's Husseini Shakumagazi, at the 2025 Stakeholders Forum in Port Harcourt.
This initiative is part of a broader reform agenda aimed at overhauling existing company registration portals (CRPs) to enhance the ease of business in Nigeria. With the new platform, name bookings are designed to be as seamless as opening an email account, providing immediate approval for available business names. The system also intelligently proposes alternative name options, reducing latency and increasing user convenience.
One of the most notable innovations is the NIN-only registration feature. This allows entrepreneurs to register their businesses using only the National Identification Number (NIN) of the Director or Owner. According to the CAC, the target time for full business registration, from name booking to issuing a certificate, is less than 30 minutes, due to pending real-time verification. An AI-based photo ID matching system has been developed to ensure continuity in anticipation of potential delays from external sources like NIMC.
The registrar general also revealed that the CAC is considering more than 100 partnership requests from superagents, both nationally and internationally, including entities such as the Nigerian Interbank Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS). This coincides with the committee's vision, expands its reach and simplifies access to corporate services.
Further developments announced include future developments of two-factor authentication (2FA) for all transactions to prevent unauthorized changes to corporate records. Additionally, CAC mobile apps are expected by the last quarter of 2025, allowing business owners to manage and track registrations on the go.
To maintain these improvements and fund additional reforms, CAC will conduct a review of selected service charges on August 1, 2025.
The event featured goodwill messages from key stakeholders, including the Nigerian Bar Association (Port Harcourt Branch), the Institute of Certified Secretaries and Administrators (ICSAN), and the Nigerian Small Business Association (NASME). Representatives from the Rivers State Department of Commerce and Industry and the Association of Chartered Accountants (Port Harcourt Branch) also addressed the audience.
A CAC technical team was present, providing real-time support, resolving customer complaints during the forum, and strengthening the committee's commitment to delivering transparent and responsive services.
