How to Check if a Company is Registered in Nigeria (2026 CAC Guide)

By 9jaDirectory Editorial Team | Published: February 2026

Before you pay a supplier, sign a partnership agreement, hire a contractor, or invest in a Nigerian business, you should verify that it is actually registered. This is not paranoia — it is standard due diligence. According to consumer protection agencies, business fraud and impersonation are among the most common financial crimes targeting Nigerian SMEs and individuals.

The good news: checking whether a company is registered in Nigeria is free, fast, and requires no legal expertise. You just need to know where to look and what to look for. This guide covers four verification methods — from the quickest free check to the most thorough official process — so you can choose the right level of scrutiny for the situation.

Method 1: CAC Public Search (Free — Best for Quick Checks)

The fastest way to check if a company is registered in Nigeria is through the CAC public search portal at search.cac.gov.ng. This is the official database maintained by the Corporate Affairs Commission and covers all registered entities in Nigeria.

How to Run a CAC Public Search

1. Go to search.cac.gov.ng in any browser.
2. Enter the company name or RC number in the search box.
3. Click Search.
4. If a match appears, click on it to see the full profile: registered name, RC number, entity type, status, registration date, and address.
5. Confirm the status reads Active.

What it tells you: whether the business is registered, its registration status, entity type, RC number, and registered address.

What it does not tell you: financial health, litigation history, actual directors' identities, or whether annual returns have been filed recently.

Best for: quick pre-transaction checks, verifying a vendor before payment, or confirming a name and RC number match.

Method 2: CAC Status Report (Free — Includes Filing History)

A CAC status report is a more detailed document showing a company's current registration status and some history. It is available for free download if you have a CAC account and the company's RC number.

How to Get a CAC Status Report

1. Log in to the CAC post-incorporation portal at post.cac.gov.ng.
2. Navigate to the Public Search or Status Report option.
3. Enter the RC number of the company you want to check.
4. Request and download the status report.

The status report typically shows: registration status, entity type, company objects, names of current directors or proprietors, share capital details (for companies), and whether annual returns have been filed.

Tip: If a company's directors listed on the status report do not match the person you are dealing with, ask for an explanation. Directors can change, but the change must be filed with CAC. If it has not been filed, that is a compliance issue worth noting.

Method 3: Certified True Copy (Paid — Official Legal Proof)

For high-value transactions — property purchases, major supply contracts, investment deals — a certified true copy of the company's CAC filing is the most legally robust form of verification. This is an official document issued and stamped by the CAC confirming the company's registration details.

How to Request a Certified True Copy

• Visit your nearest CAC office (in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, or any state branch) in person.
• Request a certified search for the company by name or RC number.
• Pay the applicable government fee (check the current schedule at the CAC office).
• Receive a stamped, signed document confirming the company's registration details.

This document can be used as evidence in legal proceedings and is accepted by banks, courts, and regulatory bodies as official proof of registration.

Method 4: Ask for Their Annual Returns Filing Proof

Beyond confirming registration, a serious due diligence check includes confirming that a company is actively maintaining its registration. Nigerian law requires all registered companies and business names to file annual returns with the CAC. Companies that have not filed are in default and can be struck off.

Ask the company to show you proof of their most recent annual return filing from their CAC dashboard. A company that hesitates to show this — or claims they "have not had time to file" — may have a struck-off or compliance-risk status that will not appear immediately on the public search.

What to Do If a Company Is Not Found

If your CAC search returns no result for a company that claims to be registered, do not assume the worst immediately — but do proceed carefully:

• Try alternative name variations: the company may trade under a different name from their registered name. Ask for the exact registered name on their certificate.
• Search by RC number instead: if they give you an RC number, search that directly rather than by name.
• Check if the name was recently registered: new registrations can take up to two weeks to appear in the public search. Ask for the date of their certificate.
• Request the physical certificate: a genuine Certificate of Incorporation or Certificate of Registration from CAC is hard to convincingly fake. Look for the CAC watermark, stamp, and signature.
• Do not pay before verifying: if no verification is possible through any of the methods above, do not make any payment. Legitimate businesses will understand and accommodate a reasonable verification request.

Special Cases: NGOs, Churches, and Associations

Not all organisations use the standard RC number system. Here is how to verify non-company entities:

Entity Type	Registration Body	How to Verify
NGOs / Associations	CAC (as Incorporated Trustees)	Search by name on CAC public search — IT prefix on registration number
Churches / Mosques	CAC (as Incorporated Trustees)	Same as NGOs — search by organisation name
Professional firms (law, accounting)	CAC + Sector regulator (NBA, ICAN)	Verify CAC registration AND confirm membership with the professional body
Banks and fintechs	CBN + CAC	Check CBN's list of licensed institutions on cbn.gov.ng
Insurance companies	NAICOM + CAC	Check NAICOM's register of licensed insurers

Make Your Own Business Easy to Verify

If you run a registered Nigerian business, every customer you deal with has the same due diligence question: "Can I trust this company?" The best answer is a transparent online presence where your CAC details, contact information, and services are publicly visible.

Listing on 9jaDirectory lets you display your RC number, WhatsApp number, photos, service area, and category alongside your business name — giving customers everything they need to verify and contact you without friction. Businesses in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and across Nigeria are already getting discovered this way.

For the full registration process, read our guide to business registration in Nigeria and our CAC pre-incorporation step-by-step guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the CAC public search 100% reliable?

The CAC public search is highly reliable for confirming whether a business is registered and checking its status. However, it is not infallible — very recent registrations may not yet appear, and the database may have minor delays after status changes. For critical transactions, combine the public search with a request for the physical certificate and, where necessary, a certified true copy from a CAC office.

Can a company be registered but still be fraudulent?

Yes. CAC registration confirms legal existence — it does not validate a company's honesty, financial health, or ability to deliver on promises. A registered company can still be operated fraudulently. Always combine CAC verification with other due diligence: check reviews, request references, speak to previous clients, and for large sums, engage a lawyer to conduct a more thorough background check.

What is the fastest way to check if a Nigerian company is registered?

The fastest method is the CAC public search at search.cac.gov.ng. It is free, requires no login, and returns results in seconds. Search by the company name or by RC number — RC number searches are more precise since names can have near-identical variations.

How do I know if a company has been struck off by CAC?

A struck-off status will appear in the "Status" field when you view the company's record on the CAC public search. The record will still exist in the database — the company just will not show as "Active." If a company that was previously active now shows as "Struck Off," it means they have not filed annual returns for two or more years and have been removed from the active register.

Do partnerships need to be registered with the CAC?

Yes. Partnerships operating under a business name in Nigeria must register that business name with the CAC. They receive a BN (Business Name) registration number. However, general partnerships not operating under a specific business name can technically exist without CAC registration, though they lose access to corporate bank accounts, contracts, and other benefits that come with formal registration.