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Netanyahu1:
Thanks for the business registration. Smooth and fast.

You are welcome. I'm glad you're happy.

Plus I already have a working one built, will just adapt it to suit your need.

Name Availability search is the first step to take when you want to register your business with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), whether it is an enterprise, limited liability company (Ltd or Plc), or a non-profit organization like NGOs or churches.
First let me give you possible reasons why your proposed business name may be rejected at the CAC:
1. Names that are ambiguous or unclear, or confusing. Names that can confuse the public about the nature of your business, or awkward combination of words. E.g. Johnson Enterprises Company; or Johnson Motors and Health Ltd.
2. Use of reserved names like Johnson Chamber of Commerce, or John Department of Agriculture.
3. Use of names that are closely similar to that of existing registered companies with the CAC. For instance, you cannot use a name like "Dangots Sugar Ltd", because you know quite well that there is an existing company called "Dangote Sugar Plc". People can easily confuse those two names together.
Well, it is obvious we all know "Dangote Sugar", but there are thousands of registered companies we don't know about, and if we try to reserve a name close to theirs, it will be rejected by CAC.

Here are some tips to assist you in selecting a good business name that flies at the CAC Name Availability Search...
1. Be creative, very creative.
Some names are common and can be easily thought of. If you are thinking of using "Amazing Grace Nigeria Ltd", that is an easy name to come by! You can be certain that there will be existing companies having one or both words in their names. Think of unique words.
2. Explore other Languages.
For instance, if you are a fan of French or Spanish, or your native language, you can simply translate common words into them. You have a higher chance of getting your name reserved. For instance, you can translate "Red" into "Rouge" (French), or "Colorado" (Spanish).
3. Combine words that are rarely used together.
Everyone knows “Amazing Grace” are two words that are used together most of the time. “Abundant Grace” won’t be a good choice either. But if we say something like “Colossal Grace” we stand a better chance.
4. Combine more words (Don’t exceed 5 words!).
The reason for this is to reduce the chances of having closely similar words with the names of other companies. For instance, suppose we have “Johnson Nigeria Limited” already registered and we love the name Johnson so much that we don’t want to drop it or interpret it into another language. CAC may reject “Johnson Engineering Ltd”, or “Johnson Electrical Ltd”. But if we have two additional words different from those of the existing one, we can get ours approved. So if we choose “Johnson Engineering Services Ltd”, we will likely get an approval.
5. Specialize your business name
Let the nature of your business reflect in the name. E.g. adding suffixes like Engineering, Publishing, Health Services, Business Solutions, Farms, etc. will help you to distinguish your company name from others baring similar names but are into different natures of business, and consequently get an approval. Now, assuming “Johnson Nigeria Limited” and “Johnson Engineering Services Ltd” are registered, and we are into publishing, we can use “Johnson Publishing House Ltd”. It will likely get approved.
6. Google up your intended name.
Many businesses are creating online presence via corporate websites, blogs, online business directories, social media pages, etc. If you Google search your proposed name, you might come across an existing company with similar name. This will help you to fine tune yours further.
7. Be flexible, don’t be obsessed with a particular name.
I have seen people do like 5 name searches, and still don’t get an approved name. That is like 10 rejected names, since they have two options for each search! Being flexible will allow you to follow advices 1 to 6 above, thereby saving you money, energy and time expended on multiple searches.
8. Visit http://www.cac.gov.ng, go to public search to see if there are companies using similar names.

Note that CAC has the right to approve or reject any name, based on their discretion. But a well thought of, unambiguous name will get you an approval.
Finally, seek advice from friends, family and professionals. Don’t be alone.
Contributions are welcome, please.

Get to know how much you need to register your business:
https://www.nairaland.com/3918481/cost-registering-business-nigeria

Know how much it costs to incorporate your business here...

https://www.nairaland.com/3918481/cost-registering-business-nigeria

I'm interested. You may need some more knowledge.

Okay. Let me differentiate between business name and limited company in plain terms.

Business name implies that you are doing business as yourself. You are not different from your business, it's all about you and your partners. People are interested in you as much as they are interested in your business. You get to have a bank account, stamp, letterhead, logo, etc. and clients have an assurance that you are real.

Limited company shows that you are a serious guy who wants the business to run even when you are out of town. It's not just about making some quick money, you want to have a long term commitment to building people, values, empires, with a clear vision. Clients have more respect for a limited company, you don't look cheap to them at all.

From the above you can determine what works for you.
Questions...?

Okay. Let me differentiate between business name and limited company in plain terms.

Business name implies that you are doing business as yourself. You are not different from your business, it's all about you and your partners. People are interested in you as much as they are interested in your business. You get to have a bank account, stamp, letterhead, logo, etc. and clients have an assurance that you are real.

Limited company shows that you are a serious guy who wants the business to run even when you are out of town. It's not just about making some quick money, you want to have a long term commitment to building people, values, empires, with a clear vision. Clients have more respect for a limited company, you don't look cheap to them at all.

From the above you can determine what works for you.,
Questions...?

hoyze24:
How much does it cost to register a business name now and how long will it take?

In all, you need about 20k to register. It should be done within a week if you do everything right.

Accepted Identification documents for company registration: International Passport Drivers License National ID or NIMC slip Permanent Voters Card Birth Certificate or Age Declaration You also need 2 passport photos for a Business Name. Ask a question here if you encounter issues.

Accepted Identification documents for company registration:

International Passport
Drivers License
National ID or NIMC slip
Permanent Voters Card
Birth Certificate or Age Declaration

You also need 2 passport photos for a Business Name.

Ask a question here if you encounter issues.

gidimasters:
DeConsultant, foxychev

Goodday, for the registration of business name, can I use my NIMC SLIP or Birth certificate?

I have the availability code already but I can't proceed with the registration cos I'm not sure if the above ID are allowed?

Use NIMC Slip.

abdulraheem95:
what are the ways to follow?

There are two categories of business registration in Nigeria. CAC (Corporate Affairs Commission) handles applications.
1. Business Name:
This is an enterprise kind of business. The ownership operates like the sole proprietorship or partnership between two or more people. Many new entrants and small businesses do register business names, a budget of 20k will normally cover the costs.

2. Limited Company:
This type of businesses are have "limited" or "ltd" appended to their names to indicate that the owners have limited liability to use their own money to offset any debts incurred by the company should the company find itself in a financial mess in the future. A budget of 70k will be needed to do this kind of registration.

It is common to request the services of a professional (lawyer, chartered accountant, or chartered secretary) for business registration. Limited Companies are required to have a professional to be the company secretary. I fall in the second category, check my signature for contact.

These threads will help with useful information:

Tips For Getting Your Business Name Approved With CAC
https://www.nairaland.com/3369172/tips-getting-business-name-approved

Ask Your Questions Concerning Business Registration
https://www.nairaland.com/1799484/ask-questions-concerning-business-registration

Cost Of Registering A Business In Nigeria
https://www.nairaland.com/3919053/cost-registering-business-nigeria

Since agriculture is one of the most favored businesses in Nigeria today, alot of people do it without any official documentation. But they miss out on certain things:

Ability to supply big customers directly
Hotels especially have direct demands for all kinds of food and meat. Most prefer to deal with registered farms for quality assurance (e.g. you won't supply them contaminated food or meat of animals that died from diseases or harmful toxins). They also have better assurance of consistent supply from you because they Believe your being registered is a sign that you are organized and that you intend to run your business perpetually.

Get paid ahead
If you have done business with certain big farms, you will know how good this is. Customers can pay you days or weeks ahead of supply. Some can even pay you months ahead! As a farmer, you know that the faster revenue comes in, the faster you can expand your business

Access to grants and good loans
The United Nations release grants (non-repayable benefits) to farmers around the world every now and then through various sub-organizations. You don't want to miss out. The federal Govt and state govts too give a lot of benefits. Get registered and see your chances and opportunities increase.

Access to other loans
Banks will naturally ask you to register at least six months before you discuss loans. Yes, they do give out loans when you do things right. Microfinance banks particularly excel in that area.
And if you are into poultry or fish farming, you would agree well that 25% interest rate in a year is not bad at all, drop your aversion for banks loans at this moment. And before you eat me alive, the federal govt has given provisions for loans less than 10%. There is Bank of Industry (BOI), Nigeria Export Import Bank (NEXIM), both are waiting for your loan applications with billions of naira going idle every year. Why not take advantage of these and expand your business?

Direct Export
This is quite simple. How can you do business with people outside your country when you are not registered with your government?

Build a trusted brand
Talk of Zaartech, Chi farms, Fol-Hope, Mirth Agric, etc... Even though you are starting small your brand will go ahead of you by the time you grow big, especially when you package your products.

Post your comments.

Since CAC now offers online services, I know there will be fresh questions in mind. Ask here and get answers.

This is useful information for anybody

Need more info? Call or WhatsApp .

desertroad:
Thanks for the info

You are welcome. Need any clarification?

CAC generally enforce strict rules in reserving names for a business name when similar names already exist. You are more likely to get denials than if you want to do a limited company.
My advice:
Go to PUBLIC SEARCH on the CAC website and search for the name. If you see other companies registered with similar name then yours must be different from theirs by two words. Or better still, think of another name altogether.

sabawex:
if you desire to have that garden you can give us a call at 09086536261, 08037722526

Hello, I can build a site for you at affordable price, to give your business a wider reach.

Here is useful information concerning how to get a name reservation without stress
https://www.nairaland.com/3369172/tips-getting-business-name-approved

Here is useful information concerning how to get a name reservation without stress
https://www.nairaland.com/3369172/tips-getting-business-name-approved

Now concerning the duration of the registration process, this can now be done in less than 1 week for both business names and limited companies.
Non-profit organizations will take more because they require 2 weeks notice to be published on newspapers. Total duration should take about a month.

Now concerning the duration of the registration process, this can now be done in less than 1 week for both business names and limited companies.
Non-profit organizations will take more because they require 2 weeks notice to be published on newspapers. Total duration should take about a month.

This topic has been an ambiguous issue for many who want to do company registration with Corporate Affairs Commission. I will just go straight to the point:

Business Names are cheaper to register. This is because of lesser documentation that is needed during registration, and no stamp duties charge as well.
Generally, with a budget of N20,000 or less, you can get this done without sweat.

Limited Companies are costlier because of more documentation, need for professional services and stamp duty charge that will be paid to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) during registration. You will require the services of a professional here to file in as your company secretary (a requirement of Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990 as amended), or you might get stuck during the registration.
This will usually cost you around N70,000 for private company (LTD). I do not recommend PLC for startups.

Incorporated Trustees. This category includes NGOs, churches and religious organizations, every non-profit business. Now this involves newspaper publications along with other requirements. You need about N150,000 to get one registered.

You may check here: https://www.nairaland.com/3369172/tips-getting-business-name-approved for tips on how to get your business name approved.

As an Accredited customer of CAC, I answer questions and provide assistance if you have issues with registration, for free.

This topic has been an ambiguous issue for many who want to do company registration with Corporate Affairs Commission. I will just go straight to the point:

Business Names are cheaper to register. This is because of lesser documentation that is needed during registration, and no stamp duties charge as well.
Generally, with a budget of N20,000 or less, you can get this done without sweat.

Limited Companies are costlier because of more documentation, need for professional services and stamp duty charge that will be paid to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) during registration. You will require the services of a professional here to file in as your company secretary (a requirement of Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990 as amended), or you might get stuck during the registration.
This will usually cost you around N70,000 for private company (LTD). I do not recommend PLC for startups.

Incorporated Trustees. This category includes NGOs, churches and religious organizations, every non-profit business. Now this involves newspaper publications along with other requirements. You need about N150,000 to get one registered.

You may check here: https://www.nairaland.com/3369172/tips-getting-business-name-approved for tips on how to get your business name approved.

As an Accredited customer of CAC, I answer questions and provide assistance if you have issues with registration, for free

PenSoftCorp:
about to launch a business, but i am thinking of what i would gain from registering the business

Registration is a sign that you are ready to take your business to the next level.
Clients will ask you for registration certificate, financial statements, tax clearance, etc
Banks will ask for same to open business account and to obtain loans
People will have more confidence with you and respect your business.

call or whatsapp for details about registering a business with corporate affairs commission in Nigeria .

yusufbichi:
Pls what if I have multiple products I want registervanf protect under one company,?

Very possible. Just make sure you cover for them in your memorandum.

yusufbichi:
Pls what if I have multiple products I want registervanf protect under one company,?

Very possible. Just make sure you cover for then in your memorandum.

You may need more specifics on doing registration with Corporate Affairs Commission.

https://www.nairaland.com/3369172/tips-getting-business-name-approved