The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has announced plans to optimize its online portal this weekend as part of efforts to enhance performance and provide a more seamless experience for users.
This was disclosed in a statement released on Friday, days after the Commission unveiled its new Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered registration platform designed to revolutionize business registration processes in Nigeria.
“We wish to inform our esteemed users that we will be optimizing our portal this coming weekend to enhance performance and make key features more seamless and user-friendly. This update has been carefully scheduled for the weekend to minimize any disruption to your activities,” the CAC said.
Accredited agents with pending applications have been assured that they will regain full access to their work once the update is completed. The Commission also expressed gratitude to stakeholders for their patience and cooperation, reaffirming its commitment to continuous improvement and better service delivery.
Pioneering AI-powered business registration
Earlier this week, the CAC introduced a pilot AI-driven registration portal in what the Registrar-General/CEO, Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, SAN, described as a “major game changer” for Nigeria’s business environment.
According to Magaji, the new portal signals a comprehensive overhaul of the Company Registration Portal (CRP). One of its standout features is instant name approval, with the system intelligently suggesting alternative names when preferred options are unavailable.
“Name reservation under the new system is now as simple as opening an email account,” Magaji explained. “The use of AI enables seamless suggestions and real-time approvals.”
Business owners can now begin registration using only the National Identification Number (NIN) of a director or proprietor. Once the NIN is verified, the system generates and delivers the certificate of registration directly to the applicant’s email within 30 minutes—a significant improvement on previous timelines that often spanned days or even weeks.
More security and mobile convenience on the way
In addition to the AI-powered upgrades, CAC has introduced new security features, including two-factor authentication and one-time password (OTP) verification for all transactions. These measures aim to ensure that no changes can be made to a company’s records without the explicit consent of registered directors, thereby reducing risks of unauthorized alterations or fraud.
Looking ahead, the Commission also revealed plans to launch a dedicated CAC Mobile App in the last quarter of 2025. The app will allow users to carry out transactions, track application statuses, and access company data directly from their mobile devices—further streamlining business processes for entrepreneurs and agents.
What you should know
The CAC has been rolling out reforms as part of Nigeria’s broader drive to improve its Ease of Doing Business ranking. The transition to digital and AI-supported services is intended to reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks, cut down human error, and increase transparency.
Industry analysts believe these innovations could significantly lower barriers for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), boost formalization of businesses, and ultimately attract greater investment into Nigeria’s economy.
As the CAC continues to evolve, business owners and agents are encouraged to stay updated on these changes to fully leverage the benefits of a more responsive and tech-driven registration system.
