The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) marked its 35th anniversary (1991–2026) this week in Abuja with a series of massive announcements designed to modernize Nigeria’s business landscape. Registrar-General Hussaini Ishaq Magaji unveiled several initiatives that transition the agency from a regulatory body into a digital growth partner for SMEs.
1. 3,500 Free Business Registrations
In the spirit of the anniversary, the CAC has approved free business name registration for 3,500 small businesses across the 36 states and the FCT.
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Goal: To lower the barrier for informal businesses to enter the formal economy, enabling them to access government grants, loans, and corporate banking.
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Distribution: The slots are being distributed nationwide to ensure inclusive economic growth from every corner of Nigeria.
2. The “AI Lawyer” and Business Name Generator
The commission launched a redesigned website (www.cac.gov.ng) featuring two cutting-edge AI tools:
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The AI Lawyer (CAMA Lawyer): An instant digital assistant that provides immediate guidance on Nigerian corporate laws (CAMA 2020) and filing procedures.
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AI Name Generator: A tool to help entrepreneurs brainstorm and reserve scalable, available business names, reducing the time spent on manual name searches.
3. Strategic Partnership with Google
A major highlight was the signing of a collaboration letter with Google. This partnership is aimed at:
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Portal Reliability: Strengthening the commission’s cloud infrastructure to prevent downtime during peak registration periods.
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Global Best Practices: Deepening the “Ease of Doing Business” by adopting Google’s technical frameworks for faster service delivery.
4. Social Responsibility and Scholarships
The CAC is also looking toward the next generation of legal and social leaders:
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Academic Excellence: Six scholarships have been approved for the best corporate law students at the Nigerian Law School for the 2026 session.
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Community Support: As part of its anniversary outreach, the commission is donating 120 mattresses to an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp and providing support to local orphanages.
CAC Reform Scorecard: 1991 vs. 2026
“The CAC journey at 35 is a story of vision, courage, and innovation… we have evolved into a technology-driven institution focused on transparency and global best practices.” — Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, Registrar-General.
