Digital Marketing Company in Lagos. More details here.
Calculate exact government fees for business registration and annual returns filing in Nigeria
✓ Updated October 2025 with Latest CAC RatesWhether you're registering a new business or filing your annual returns, understanding CAC fees saves you from surprises. The Corporate Affairs Commission updated its fee structure effective October 1, 2025, and we've broken down every naira you'll pay.
Business Name registration fees doubled from ₦10,000 to ₦20,000. This increase was published in Official Gazette No. 92 (May 29, 2025) and took effect October 1, 2025.
1. Registration Fees — One-time cost to set up your business with CAC:
2. Annual Returns Fees — Yearly compliance filing all registered businesses must complete:
These are official CAC government charges only. They do not include professional service fees, legal representation, document preparation, or courier costs. Whether you register yourself or hire an agent, you pay these fees directly to CAC.
Every registered business in Nigeria must file annual returns with CAC. Here's what it costs and why it matters.
| Business Type | Annual Return Fee | When It's Due |
|---|---|---|
| Business Name | ₦5,000 | 18 months after registration, then every 12 months |
| Small Company (Private) Share capital ≤ ₦100M | ₦5,000 | 18 months after registration, then every 12 months |
| Private Company (Other) ₦100M - ₦500M share capital | ₦100,000 | 18 months after registration, then every 12 months |
| Private Company (Large) ₦500M - ₦1B share capital | ₦150,000 | 18 months after registration, then every 12 months |
| Private Company (Very Large) Above ₦1B share capital | ₦200,000 | 18 months after registration, then every 12 months |
| Public Limited Company (PLC) | ₦10,000 | 18 months after registration, then every 12 months |
| Company Limited by Guarantee | ₦5,000 | 18 months after registration, then every 12 months |
| Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) | ₦10,000 | 18 months after registration, then every 12 months |
| Limited Partnership (LP) | ₦5,000 | 18 months after registration, then every 12 months |
| Incorporated Trustees (NGO) | ₦5,000 | 18 months after registration, then every 12 months |
Note: Share capital tiers apply only to Private Limited Companies. Most small businesses with ≤₦100M share capital pay ₦5,000.
Use our calculator below to see exactly what you'll pay based on your business type and share capital.
Go to Calculator ↓Missing your filing deadline triggers automatic penalties. Here's what you'll pay if you file late:
| Business Type | One-Time Penalty | Daily Penalty (After Grace Period) | Who Pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Name | ₦5,000 | ₦100/day | Entity only |
| Small Company (Private) | ₦1,000 | ₦100/day | Entity + Each Director |
| Private Company (Other) | ₦2,000 | ₦200/day | Entity + Each Director |
| Company Limited by Guarantee | ₦2,000 | ₦200/day | Entity + Each Officer |
| Public Limited Company (PLC) | ₦5,000 | ₦500/day | Entity + Each Director |
| Limited Liability Partnership | ₦2,000 | ₦200/day | Entity + Each Partner |
| Limited Partnership | ₦1,000 | ₦100/day | Entity + Each Partner |
| Incorporated Trustees | ₦10,000 | ₦200/day | Entity only |
Important: For companies, penalties apply to BOTH the company AND each director personally. A 3-director company filing 30 days late pays: one-time penalty × 4 people + daily penalties × 30 days × 4 people.
Use our calculator below to see exactly what you'll pay based on your business type and share capital.
Go to Calculator ↓Filing annual returns on time keeps your CAC record clean. A clean record means:
Let's walk through this clearly: filing now saves you money and protects your business reputation.
Starting a new business? Here are the exact fees you'll pay to register with CAC.
| Fee Type | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Fee | ₦20,000 | Increased from ₦10,000 (October 2025) |
| Name Reservation | ₦1,000 | Standard names |
| Name Reservation (Restricted) | ₦5,000 | Names with restricted words |
| Certified True Copy (CTC) | ₦5,000 each | Optional but recommended |
| Fee Type | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Fee | ₦10,000 | Per ₦1M share capital (or part thereof) |
| Stamp Duty | 0.75% of share capital | Example: ₦7,500 on ₦1M capital |
| Name Reservation | ₦1,000 or ₦5,000 | Standard or restricted |
| Certified True Copy (CTC) | ₦5,000 each | Optional but recommended |
| Fee Type | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Fee | ₦20,000 | Per ₦1M share capital (or part thereof) |
| Stamp Duty | 0.75% of share capital | Example: ₦75,000 on ₦10M capital |
| Name Reservation | ₦1,000 or ₦5,000 | Standard or restricted |
| Certified True Copy (CTC) | ₦5,000 each | Optional but recommended |
| Fee Type | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Fee | ₦40,000 | Includes first CTC of registration docs |
| Name Reservation | ₦1,000 or ₦5,000 | Standard or restricted |
| Additional CTCs | ₦5,000 each | If you need more copies |
| Fee Type | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Fee | ₦40,000 | Includes first CTC of registration docs |
| Name Reservation | ₦5,000 | Restricted words apply to most NGO names |
| Additional CTCs | ₦5,000 each | If you need more copies |
| Fee Type | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Fee | ₦40,000 | Includes first CTC of registration docs |
| Name Reservation | ₦1,000 or ₦5,000 | Standard or restricted |
| Additional CTCs | ₦5,000 each | If you need more copies |
| Fee Type | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Fee | ₦30,000 | Includes first CTC of registration docs |
| Name Reservation | ₦1,000 or ₦5,000 | Standard or restricted |
| Additional CTCs | ₦5,000 each | If you need more copies |
Get an instant breakdown of all fees based on your business structure and share capital.
Go to Calculator ↓For Limited Companies (Private and Public), you pay 0.75% of your authorized share capital as stamp duty. This is separate from the registration fee.
Quick examples:
Standard name reservation costs ₦1,000. But if your proposed name includes restricted terms, you'll pay ₦5,000 instead.
Common restricted words include:
CTCs are optional, but here's what most businesses do: order 2-3 copies during registration.
You'll need certified copies when:
Getting them upfront saves time. Ordering later means another trip to CAC (or another service fee if you're using an agent).
We see this often: business owners forget, then panic when they realize their company is non-compliant.
Consequences include:
Filing on time is simpler and cheaper than dealing with penalties later.
Calculate registration or annual returns fees (Updated October 2025)
₦5,000 per copy (optional but recommended)
Official CAC fees as of October 2025 (Gazette No. 92, May 29, 2025)
Powered by Qrafteq Brand Systems
You can absolutely register your business or file annual returns yourself. Many people do. But there are trade-offs to consider.
Pros:
Cons:
What you get:
What it costs:
If you're tech-savvy, have time to spare, and don't mind navigating CAC's system, filing yourself works fine for simple structures like Business Names.
For Limited Companies with multiple shareholders, complex NGO structures, or if you're running a business and can't afford downtime — professional help pays for itself in time saved and errors avoided.
CAC increased Business Name fees from ₦10,000 to ₦20,000 as part of a broader fee review. The change was gazetted in May 2025 and took effect October 1, 2025. No official explanation was provided beyond "general review of service fees."
Yes. Annual returns are required regardless of whether your business is trading. Even dormant companies must file to maintain their registered status. If you're permanently closing, you need to officially deregister through voluntary strike-off.
Private Limited Companies pay annual return fees based on their authorized share capital bracket. Small companies (≤₦100M) pay ₦5,000. Larger companies pay progressively more: ₦100,000 (₦100M-₦500M), ₦150,000 (₦500M-₦1B), or ₦200,000 (above ₦1B).
Yes, and it's smart. You can file anytime before your deadline. Filing early means you're not scrambling if CAC's system goes down or if there are issues with your documents.
Standard processing is 3-5 business days for straightforward applications. Annual returns are typically approved within 24-48 hours if documents are correct. Delays happen when there are errors, missing information, or during CAC's system maintenance periods.
All directors are jointly and severally liable. CAC can pursue any or all directors for the full penalty amount. This affects your personal records with CAC and can complicate future business registrations in your name.
Qrafteq Brand Systems handles business registration and annual returns for companies across Nigeria. We've processed hundreds of filings without delays or rejections.
See Our Registration Services →File Your Annual Returns →Questions? Call us: +234 803 650 9056
Digital Marketing Company in Lagos. More details here.