Overview
Registering a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in Nigeria is one of the most popular paths for entrepreneurs looking to formalize their business. An LLC provides personal liability protection, enhances credibility with clients and investors, and opens doors to government contracts and bank financing.
This guide walks you through the entire process — from choosing your business name to receiving your Certificate of Incorporation from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
1. Choose Your Business Structure
Before diving into the registration process, confirm that an LLC is the right structure for you. The CAC recognises several entity types: Business Name (BN) for sole proprietors and partnerships, Limited Liability Company (LLC) for companies with share capital, Company Limited by Guarantee (GTE) for NGOs, and Incorporated Trustees (IT) for religious and charitable organizations.
An LLC is ideal if you want limited personal liability, plan to raise investment, or need a corporate structure for contracts. The minimum share capital is ₦1,000,000 (one million naira), though you can opt for higher capital.
2. Reserve Your Business Name
The first formal step is reserving your company name with the CAC. You will need to submit at least two proposed names in order of preference. The CAC checks each name against existing registrations to ensure uniqueness.
Name reservation typically takes 1–2 business days. If your preferred name is available, it will be reserved for 60 days while you complete the rest of the registration process. Avoid names that are too generic, already in use, or contain restricted words.
3. Prepare Required Documents
For each director and shareholder, you will need: a valid government-issued ID (NIN slip, international passport, or driver's license), a recent passport photograph, proof of address (utility bill or bank statement dated within 3 months), and Bank Verification Number (BVN).
Additionally, you will need to decide on the share capital structure — who owns what percentage, and how many shares each person holds. For LLCs with share capital above ₦2,000,000, additional stamp duty fees apply.
4. Submit Your Application
With all documents ready, the application is submitted to the CAC through the Company Registration Portal (CRP). The submission includes your Memorandum and Articles of Association (MEMART), particulars of directors and shareholders, registered office address, and the share capital structure.
Processing typically takes 7–10 business days for standard LLCs (₦1M share capital) and 7–14 business days for LLCs with higher share capital. During this period, the CAC may raise queries that need to be addressed promptly.
5. Receive Your Certificate
Once approved, the CAC issues your Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum and Articles of Association (MEMART), CAC Status Report, and Form CAC 1.1 (Application for Registration). All documents are delivered digitally.
With your certificate in hand, you can proceed to obtain your Tax Identification Number (TIN), open a corporate bank account, and begin operating your business legally in Nigeria.
What Does It Cost?
The total cost of registering an LLC in Nigeria depends on your share capital amount. For a standard LLC with ₦1M share capital, expect to pay between ₦80,000 and ₦120,000 inclusive of CAC fees, stamp duties, and professional charges.
For LLCs with share capital above ₦2M, costs increase due to higher stamp duty obligations. Taxly provides transparent, all-inclusive pricing with no hidden fees — you see the exact breakdown before you pay.
Conclusion
Registering an LLC in Nigeria is a straightforward process when you have the right guidance. With Taxly, you can complete the entire process online — from name reservation to certificate delivery — without visiting any government office.
Start your LLC registration today and join thousands of businesses already thriving with Taxly.
Taxly Editorial
Tax & Compliance Experts
Our editorial team combines expertise in Nigerian tax law, CAC regulations, and business advisory to bring you practical, actionable content.