ABUJA, Nigeria — In a major move to boost the formalization of small businesses, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has approved the free registration of 3,500 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across Nigeria.
The Registrar-General of the CAC, Hussaini Ishaq Magaji (SAN), made the announcement during the commission’s 35th-anniversary celebration in Abuja on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. The move is designed to lower the barriers to entry for local entrepreneurs and bring more businesses into the formal economy.+1
Empowering the 36 States and FCT
According to the Registrar-General, the slots for free registration will be distributed across the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This ensure that entrepreneurs from every corner of Nigeria can benefit from the initiative.+1
“This is our way of giving back and encouraging the spirit of entrepreneurship,” Magaji stated. “By formalizing these businesses, we are opening doors for them to access government grants, bank loans, and international markets.”
Key Highlights of the 35th Anniversary Reforms
Beyond the free registrations, the CAC unveiled several high-tech updates to its portal to make doing business in Nigeria easier:
- AI Lawyer (CAMA Lawyer): A new AI-powered assistant on the CAC website that provides instant legal guidance on corporate laws and procedures.
- Business Name Generator: A tool to help new owners find unique and scalable names that haven’t been taken.
- Google Partnership: The CAC signed a collaboration letter with Google to strengthen its digital infrastructure, aiming to handle the surge of nearly 10,000 registration requests daily.
Why This Matters
For many Nigerian petty traders and artisans, the cost of registration has historically been a hurdle. This free window allows 3,500 lucky business owners to get their official certificates without paying the standard filing fees, providing them with legal protection and a professional identity.
How to Apply
While the specific portal link for the 3,500 free slots is being finalized through the state-level offices and the main CAC website, business owners are encouraged to keep their National Identification Number (NIN) and valid ID ready. Registrations are expected to be handled on a “first-come, first-served” basis.