The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has launched a new AI-powered registration portal to replace the current Company Registration Portal. The goal is to expedite business registration and simplify the process for Nigerians to start companies.
Registrar-General Hussaini Ishaq Magaji announced the new platform at the 2025 Stakeholders’ Forum. In a statement released on Tuesday, CAC described the innovation as a major step toward improving the ease of doing business in Nigeria.
Moreover, Magaji explained that the portal can now instantly approve business name reservations. “It works just like opening an email account,” he said. The system uses Artificial Intelligence to suggest available names and give real-time approvals. This removes the long waiting times and traditional delays.
NIN Now Enough to Register a Business
One of the key features of the portal is that users can now register a company with just the National Identification Number (NIN) of a director or business owner. Once the system confirms the NIN in real time, it sends a certificate of incorporation to the user’s email within 30 minutes.
Magaji added, “Our target is to complete and deliver a business registration certificate in under 30 minutes, as long as the NIN verification is successful.”
In any event, even if the NIN database experiences delays, the platform uses AI photo ID matching as a backup solution. This makes sure users don’t get stuck because of technical issues.
To improve security, CAC also plans to add two-factor authentication with OTP codes. This means no one can change a company’s information without the full consent of its directors.
Additionally, Magaji revealed that CAC will release a mobile app by the end of 2025. This app will let users track and manage their registrations from anywhere using their phones.
CAC Expands Partnerships and Will Review Service Fees
The Registrar-General said CAC is now reviewing over 100 partnership requests from both local and international organizations. This includes the Nigerian Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) and other major players who want to make access to CAC services easier.
He also announced that CAC will start reviewing and adjusting its service fees from August 1, 2025, to maintain service quality and support its ongoing reforms.
Several leaders praised the Commission’s efforts at the forum. Cordelia U. Eke from the Nigerian Bar Association, Sir Sebastian Essien from the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, and Elder Dogala Sakpege from the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises all shared their support.
Others present included Mechi Brown, Director of Industry at the Rivers State Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and Miema Akpa, representing the Chairman of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Port Harcourt branch.
A team from CAC was also available during the event to fix customer complaints and help users solve registration problems on the spot.
No Comments