Tinubu Approves Free Business Name Registration for 250,000 MSMEs

Tinubu Approves Free Business Name Registration for 250,000 MSMEs.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has officially opened the portal for free Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) business name registration targeting 250,000 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across Nigeria.

The announcement was made during the 8th National MSME Awards 2026 held at the State House in Abuja, where the President described the initiative as part of his administration’s commitment to supporting small businesses and creating an environment where they can thrive.

Under this programme, eligible nano, micro and small businesses will receive business name registration through the CAC with the Federal Government covering all statutory registration fees. This removes one of the biggest obstacles that prevent many entrepreneurs from formalising their operations.

The initiative is being implemented through a partnership between the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). The CAC is reported to be forgoing approximately ₦3 billion in registration fees to make this possible.

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Beyond the free registration, beneficiaries will also receive technical training and business development support to help them build stronger and more sustainable enterprises. This means the programme is not just about paperwork but about helping businesses grow properly.

Speaking about the initiative, the CAC Registrar-General noted that formalisation has long been a hurdle for many small businesses, with cost, bureaucracy and lack of awareness keeping millions of entrepreneurs in the informal sector. This often denies them access to finance, markets and government support. The new scheme removes these barriers by covering the cost of registration and linking beneficiaries directly to SMEDAN’s MSME database.

The SMEDAN Director-General also emphasised that formalisation is the gateway to support. By ensuring that businesses are registered and onboarded into the agency’s database, they can provide continuous aftercare, whether that is access to grants, training, or new markets.

For those who are not comfortable with online processes, SMEDAN State Offices nationwide will provide support, and at physical events such as Business Clinics, the agency will be available to onboard entrepreneurs.

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How to Register

Interested business owners are required to follow these steps:

Step 1: Visit the SMEDAN registration portal at https://portal.smedan.gov.ng

Step 2: Create an account using your first name, last name, email address, and phone number

Step 3: Verify your email address and log in to your dashboard

Step 4: Complete your business profile by providing your business name, business address, business sector, and your National Identification Number (NIN) for identity verification

Step 5: When asked if you already have a CAC registration number, select “No” to indicate that you are applying for the free registration

Step 6: Submit your application and download your SMEDAN Certificate, which contains your SMEDAN Unique Identification Number (SUIN)

Step 7: After completing your SMEDAN registration, you will automatically be enrolled for the free CAC business name registration. Eligible applicants will be contacted with further instructions to complete the process

Requirements

• National Identification Number (NIN)
• Valid phone number
• Active email address
• Proposed business name

Important Notes

1. If you already have a CAC Certificate, your NIN is linked to it. Your application will be rejected because this programme is for businesses that have never been registered with the CAC.
2. The idea is to help individuals who cannot afford to pay for the CAC Certificate. So if you have never done any CAC registration before, make sure that when asked about your annual turnover during registration, you are honest about your business size.
3. The registration is completely free. Applicants are advised not to pay anyone for the process, as the offer is limited to 250,000 eligible businesses.
4. The Federal Government said the initiative is expected to encourage more entrepreneurs to operate within the formal economy, improve business credibility and make it easier for small enterprises to access loans, grants and investment opportunities.

This programme presents a rare opportunity for small business owners who have been putting off registration because of the cost involved. With the portal now open, entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply early as the offer is limited to 250,000 businesses nationwide.