Nigeria Launches Free Business Name Registration Clinic with Corporate Affairs Commission

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) will host a special Business Clinic tomorrow, October 17, 2025, featuring Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, SAN, to provide clarity on the ongoing initiative offering free business name registration to Nigerian entrepreneurs.

This interactive session aims to address the challenges faced by micro and small business owners seeking to formalize their operations, removing a significant financial barrier to entry. The initiative, targeting 250,000 MSMEs nationwide, is a key component of the Nigerian government’s efforts to reduce informality within the sector – a move expected to unlock significant economic potential.

Entrepreneurs can participate in person at SMEDAN’s headquarters in Garki, Abuja, or virtually via Google Meet. The clinic will focus on documentation requirements, eligibility criteria, timelines, and access to post-registration support, including loans, grants, and market access. Formalizing a business provides access to benefits like NIN-compliant bank accounts and intellectual property protection, as detailed by the Corporate Affairs Commission.

SMEDAN officials stated the Business Clinic will also highlight how its broader programs – capacity building, cluster support, and workspace access – support the growth and resilience of small businesses. The agency aims to build a more structured MSME ecosystem, fostering sustainable growth and competitiveness.

The session is expected to encourage increased formal business ownership among young entrepreneurs and digital startups, driving a shift towards growth and wealth creation, according to SMEDAN.