The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has launched a pioneering Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven portal designed to significantly reduce the time required for business registration in Nigeria.
With the new system, entrepreneurs can now register their companies and receive official certificates within 30 minutes.
The initiative was formally announced by CAC Registrar-General and CEO, Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, SAN, during the 2025 Stakeholders’ Forum held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The new AI-enabled platform automates and accelerates key aspects of the registration process, including instant name reservation.
The system not only checks availability but also suggests alternative names when the desired one is already taken. Registration can begin with just the National Identification Number (NIN) of a director or proprietor, streamlining the documentation process.
Upon successful NIN verification, the system automatically issues the business registration certificate and sends it directly to the applicant’s email.
Although occasional delays may occur due to external validations, particularly with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the CAC has introduced an AI-powered photo ID matching solution to minimize such issues.
Describing the platform as a transformative step for the Nigerian business environment, Magaji said the system aligns with the Commission’s commitment to delivering faster and more reliable services through digital innovation.
In addition to the AI portal, the CAC unveiled a suite of upcoming tech-driven upgrades. These include the implementation of Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) and One-Time Password (OTP) verification for all corporate transactions, a move aimed at strengthening security and ensuring that changes to company records cannot be made without the full authorization of registered directors.
Magaji also announced the forthcoming launch of a CAC Mobile App, expected in the last quarter of 2025. The app will allow users to initiate transactions, track progress, manage applications, and access company information via mobile devices.
To support these enhancements and ensure continued service quality, the Commission has approved a review of certain service fees, which will take effect on August 1, 2025.
According to Magaji, the fee adjustment is necessary to maintain high operational standards and sustain the Commission’s growing digital infrastructure.
The AI registration portal and accompanying reforms mark a significant milestone in the CAC’s ongoing digital transformation agenda, aimed at fostering a more business-friendly regulatory environment in Nigeria.
