The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has officially launched its AI-powered “Intelligent Companies Registration Portal” (ICRP), aiming to streamline business registration in Nigeria to under 30 minutes—a major leap from the traditional month-long process. The initiative was unveiled by Registrar‑General Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, SAN, at the 2025 Port Harcourt Stakeholders’ Forum
With the portal live, the CAC reports processing over 11,000 registration and compliance cases daily, including a record 8,000 name reservations in a single day—a task previously taking at least two weeks
The system’s intelligent automation handles name reservation, documentation checks, NIN-based verification, and real-time data validation—all integrated for fast-tracked business registration
CAC highlights improved service delivery, noting huge savings in stamp duty fees due to the new name reservation process, and reinforced data security with mandatory OTP validations per transaction
The system also incorporates NIMC verification and multiple payment gateways via Remita.
Users Voice Concern Amid Glitches
However, the rollout has not been seamless. Lawyers and business owners have raised concerns about portal downtime, failed payments, failed name searches, and difficulties submitting post-incorporation and annual filings
Premium Times reports that several legal practitioners have been locked out of submitting critical documents, feeding into worries that the new system may damage investor confidence
CAC Responds
In response, CAC Director of Public Affairs Dominic Inyang acknowledged “teething issues” but assured that the ICRP is operating optimally, urging users to remain patient as technical refinements continue
What Comes Next?
Expansion of payment systems: CAC is integrating additional payment gateways to enhance fluidity
Ongoing refinement: The commission states it is actively integrating stakeholder feedback to remove glitches and deliver an optimal user experience
Ease of doing business: CAC hopes the improved metrics will boost Nigeria’s global ranking and encourage formalisation of startups and SMEs
Bottom Line
The CAC’s AI portal represents a landmark in Nigeria’s administrative evolution, promising speed, security, and efficiency. Yet actual impact will depend on resolving current technical challenges and maintaining transparency with affected entrepreneurs. The startup ecosystem will be watching closely.
