How Much is CAC Registration 2026? Official Fees Guide
A clear and updated guide on the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) filing costs, stamp duties, and processing fees in Nigeria for 2026.
Starting a business in Nigeria is an exciting milestone, but budgeting correctly is the key to a smooth launch. Following the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) updates to its statutory filing fees, understanding the exact cost of registration is more important than ever. Here is the official fee schedule for 2026.
1. Official CAC Fee Schedule
The official fees are standardized across the country but differ based on the legal structure of your entity. Here is a high-level summary of the minimum government filing fees:
| Business Structure | Filing Fee (Official) | Reservation Fee | Total Gov Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Name (Sole Proprietor/Partnership) | ₦20,000 | ₦1,000 | ₦21,000 |
| Private Limited Company (LTD - 1M Capital) | ₦40,000 | ₦1,000 | ₦48,500* |
| Incorporated Trustees (NGO/Association) | ₦40,000 | ₦5,000 | ₦45,000** |
*Includes 0.75% FIRS stamp duty (₦7,500). **Excludes newspaper publication and bank charges.
2. Business Name Cost Breakdown
A Business Name (often referred to as an Enterprise or Sole Proprietorship) is the easiest and most cost-effective business entity.
- Name Reservation: ₦1,000. This is the fee paid to reserve your business name for 60 days while you process incorporation.
- Registration Fee: ₦20,000. The core government fee paid on the portal to finalize registration.
- Total Gov Cost: ₦21,000 (excluding payment gateway charges).
3. Limited Company Cost Breakdown
For Private Limited Companies (LTD), the CAC fee scales with the size of your authorized share capital. A 1 Million share capital company is the baseline recommended for small businesses and startups.
Standard 1M Share Capital LTD:
- Name Reservation: ₦1,000
- Registration Filing (1M Capital): ₦40,000
- FIRS Stamp Duty (0.75%): ₦7,500
- Total Gov Cost: ₦48,500
Exceeding 1 Million Share Capital:
If your company requires a higher share capital (e.g. for specialized industries like shipping, aviation, or travel agencies), the fee structure increases by ₦10,000 for every additional 1 Million share capital (plus 0.75% stamp duty which is ₦7,500 per million).
- 2 Million Share Capital: ₦56,000 total official government fees.
- 5 Million Share Capital: ₦78,500 total official government fees.
- 10 Million Share Capital: ₦116,000 total official government fees.
4. NGO and Association Cost Breakdown
Registering an Incorporated Trustee (Churches, NGOs, Charities, Foundations, Social Clubs) is a more rigorous legal process.
- Name Reservation: ₦5,000
- Registration Fee: ₦40,000
- Newspaper Publication: ₦20,000 – ₦30,000 (It is legally required to publish the registration notice in two national dailies to allow for public objections).
- Total Estimate: ₦65,000 – ₦75,000 in mandatory statutory costs.
6. Self-Registration vs. Professional Agents
While anyone can register a business directly through the public CAC portal, self-registration often carries risk for those unfamiliar with corporate law:
Self-Registration (DIY)
You pay only official statutory fees. However, you must handle the complex legal drafts (memorandum and articles), name search strategy, and portal navigation yourself. Mistakes in spelling, object clauses, or share allocation lead to immediate application **queries** which cost extra time and penalty fees to resolve.
FastCAC All-Inclusive Service
You pay a single flat service rate that covers all official government fees, name reservation, FIRS stamp duties, professional handling, and guaranteed compliance. Our accredited agents structure your company's Constitution (MEMART) correctly the first time, preventing queries and delivering your digital certificates directly to your email in days.
FastCAC Compliance
Helping entrepreneurs navigate company registration and regulatory costs with transparency.