The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has launched a pilot of its new Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered registration portal, marking a major milestone in Nigeria’s business environment. This new digital platform is expected to significantly improve how businesses are registered in the country, making the process faster, more reliable, and user-friendly.
The Registrar-General and CEO of the CAC, Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, SAN, announced this development during the 2025 Stakeholders Forum held in Port Harcourt. He described the new AI-driven system as a “complete overhaul of the Company Registration Portal (CRP),” with the aim of modernizing service delivery and boosting investor confidence.
According to Magaji, name reservation will now be as seamless as opening an email account. “Instant approvals are now possible for available names, and the system is smart enough to suggest alternative options for selection and approval,” he said. This improvement is designed to reduce the stress of name rejection and repeated applications, especially for entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Magaji also highlighted that business registration can now be completed using just the National Identification Number (NIN) of a director or proprietor. “Our goal is to complete registration, generate a certificate, and deliver it to the customer’s email in less than 30 minutes,” he stated. He, however, noted that some delays may occur due to real-time NIN validation from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), but assured stakeholders that a backup solution using AI-powered photo ID matching is already in place to address any disruptions.
In terms of security, the Commission plans to introduce Two-Factor Authentication and OTP verification for all company-related transactions. “No changes will be made to any company record without the knowledge and approval of the registered directors,” Magaji assured, emphasizing the importance of corporate data protection.
To further support users, the CAC is set to roll out a mobile app by the last quarter of 2025. The app will allow users to register businesses, track applications, and perform other key functions from their smartphones.
Magaji also announced a revision of some service fees, effective August 1, 2025. He explained that the changes were necessary to maintain the quality of service and implement essential reforms.
During the event, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Port Harcourt Branch, Cordelia U. Eke, Chairman of ICSAN, Sir Sebastian Essien, and Chairman of NASME, Elder Dogala Sakpege delivered goodwill messages. Other speakers included Dr. Mechi Brown of the Rivers State Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and Miema Akpa, representative of the Chairman of ICAN, Port Harcourt Branch.
A technical team from the CAC was also present at the forum to attend to customer complaints and provide solutions on the spot, reinforcing the Commission’s commitment to service delivery and digital transformation in Nigeria’s business sector.