The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has launched a pilot artificial intelligence (AI)-powered company registration portal designed to simplify the registration process and cut down approval times.
The announcement was made via the Commission’s official Facebook page on Monday, June 30, 2025, and was formally unveiled during the CAC Stakeholders Forum held in Port Harcourt.
“The backend has announced the take off of a pilot artificial intelligence AI-powered registration portal,” a statement from the Commission noted.
Name Reservation Made as Simple as Opening an Email
The Registrar-General/CEO of the Corporate Affairs Commission, Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, SAN stated that name reservation is now set to be as easy as opening an email account where instant approvals were granted for available names.
“Name reservation is now as easy as opening an email account. The system was intelligently built to suggest alternatives for selection and immediate approval,” Magaji said.
The system further allows users to begin the registration process using just the National Identification Number (NIN) of a director or proprietor.
“Another special feature introduced is to allow business registration with only NIN of a director or proprietor,” he said.
Once the NIN is successfully verified, the registration certificate is generated and delivered to the applicant’s email within 30 minutes.
NIN-Only Registration and Smart Photo ID Matching Introduced
Magaji noted that while real-time NIN verification forms the foundation of the process, the Commission had also anticipated potential hitches from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
To address this, CAC has deployed an AI-powered photo ID matching feature that serves as a contingency verification method.
This innovation, according to Magaji, ensures uninterrupted registration flow even in cases where external NIN validation encounters technical setbacks.
Mobile App, Two-Factor Authentication and New Fees Coming Soon
In addition to the AI portal, CAC is preparing to roll out a host of other digital tools. Magaji announced that a CAC Mobile App will be launched in the final quarter of 2025.
Furthermore, to enhance security and reduce the risk of unauthorised access or alterations to company records, Two-Factor Authentication and OTP verification will soon be introduced.
“Two-Factor Authentication & OTP Verification for all transactions will soon be unveiled to ensure that no changes are made to any company record without the full knowledge and consent of the registered directors,” he noted.
To maintain the Commission’s high service delivery standards, Magaji further revealed that a review of certain service fees would take effect on 1 August 2025.
What This Means for Nigerians
The new AI-driven portal brings major benefits to individuals and businesses across the country, including:
- Faster registrations: Company certificates can now be issued in under 30 minutes.
- Instant name approvals: Smart suggestions help secure business names on the spot.
- No paperwork needed: Registration starts with just your NIN.
- Better security: 2FA and OTPs will protect against unauthorised changes.
- Mobile convenience: A CAC app will soon allow registration from any device.
- Boost for MSMEs: Easier processes mean more small businesses can go formal.
CAC’s AI Pilot Signals Digital Shift
With its new AI-powered registration system now live for pilot testing, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) is demonstrating a bold commitment to digital-first governance.
Experts say the system could significantly reduce the time, cost, and complexity associated with registering a business in Nigeria.
If successfully scaled across the country, the initiative could play a critical role in boosting Nigeria’s global ease of doing business rankings.
Analysts believe it could also widen the country’s tax base, and improve regulatory oversight, making Nigeria’s business environment more attractive to both local and foreign investors.
Talking Points
The CAC’s AI-driven portal is a major step forward in removing barriers for business registration in Nigeria. At Techparley, we view this as a shift in how government institutions can harness technologies to deliver real value to citizens.
By simplifying core processes like name reservation and identity verification, the Commission is eliminating long-standing inefficiencies that have frustrated entrepreneurs for years.
One of the most impactful features is the instant name reservation system. Instead of waiting days for feedback, business owners now receive immediate approvals, or smart suggestions, thanks to built-in AI logic.
The introduction of NIN-only registration is also a game-changer. With nothing more than a National Identification Number, users can now complete the entire registration process, reducing paperwork, queues, and lag times.
The 30-minute turnaround for delivering a company certificate and the use of AI-powered photo ID matching to bypass delays from NIMC is particularly notable. It shows foresight in offering solutions to businesses.
This level of automation is the kind of reform that could reposition Nigeria’s business landscape. If scaled effectively, it sets a strong precedent for AI use in public service delivery across the country.
