Before paying a supplier, employing a contractor, investing in a startup or signing a major agreement, it is sensible to check whether the organisation exists on Nigeria's corporate register. Learning how to register a business in Nigeria is one thing; knowing how to verify a registered company in Nigeria is equally important for protecting money and making informed decisions.
The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) maintains the official registry of Nigerian companies, business names and other registered entities. Its iCRP Public Search is the starting point for a basic check. But a matching name or certificate does not establish that a seller is honest, financially sound, authorised to represent the company or licensed for regulated activities.
This step-by-step 2026 guide explains what to search, how to compare results with documents and when to obtain fuller certified information.
What can a CAC verification establish?
A basic search helps establish whether a named entity or registration number corresponds to a CAC record. Displayed information may vary by registration type and the current portal interface. For important decisions, confirm that the name, legal structure, number and any available status details agree with what the business claims.
| What to check | Why it matters | What it cannot prove alone |
|---|---|---|
| Registered legal name | Matches the party named in a contract | That its representative is genuine |
| RC, BN or other identifier | Distinguishes similarly named entities | That a screenshot has not been altered |
| Entity type and status | Distinguishes a company from a trading name | That taxes or filings are current |
| Historical and certified records | Supports officer, ownership and filing enquiries | Financial solvency or regulatory licences |
CAC's company-search page presents registration status and company information as verification objectives. Free basic search does not provide every record available through paid services.
Step 1: Obtain the exact company name and RC number
Ask for the full legal name, RC number and incorporation certificate. Companies commonly use RC identifiers, while registered business names use BN numbers. Incorporated trustees and other entity types have their own records.
Compare the details with the legal entity named in the quotation, contract, invoice and payment instructions. “Excellent Logistics” on Instagram might be a trading style, while the actual contract names a different registered company. Seek an explanation rather than assuming dishonesty.
Where a supplier refuses to provide any verifiable legal identity before a significant payment, treat the transaction as higher risk.
Step 2: Use the official CAC Public Search
Type https://icrp.cac.gov.ng/public-search/ directly into your browser. The official form is titled Public Search and supports searches for existing companies and business entities. It includes a search-type selector and a field labelled Entity name, RC number, or AV code.
Enter the RC number if known: that is more precise than a name shared by multiple organisations. Otherwise search the complete legal name, checking spelling, abbreviations and words such as “Limited”. Select the relevant category and review any returned records.
The fields and status labels may change as CAC updates the portal. An AV code used for name availability is not proof of completed incorporation. Reservation and registration are different stages.
Step 3: Compare the result with the documents
Check the legal name and identifier character by character. Where available, compare the registration date, entity classification and status against the certificate and the company's claims.
A match is a first check, not a guarantee. A fraudster may quote the genuine RC number of an unrelated organisation. Contact the company through an independently sourced official channel and ask it to confirm the representative, invoice or supplier arrangement.
An unexpected inactive, dissolved or other status warrants closer enquiry; these labels do not all mean the same thing. A blank result might reflect an error, incorrect identifier or technical outage. Do not draw a definitive conclusion from a single unsuccessful search.
Step 4: Check the electronic certificate and e-status report
CAC issues electronic registration certificates. Its e-certificate guidance says approved applicants can download them from their iCRP dashboards. A genuine certificate can therefore be digital rather than manually collected.
The CAC e-status report replaced older forms, including Form CAC 1.1 for companies and BN 1 for business names. Request appropriate documents and reconcile the details with the public record.
Do not trust a logo, PDF filename or screenshot by appearance alone. Where CAC supplies a document-verification procedure, use its current instructions. For major transactions, seek an official extract rather than relying solely on a forwarded PDF.
Step 5: Know when paid CAC searches are necessary
CAC's gazetted schedule of 29 May 2025 says visitors can access basic information on its public-search page for free. Full electronic views, status reports and certified extracts are separately charged.
| Official CAC service | Gazetted fee |
|---|---|
| Basic public-search information | Free |
| Full electronic search per entity, view only | ₦1,000 |
| Private or small-company status report | ₦5,000 |
| Public-company status report | ₦10,000 |
| Certified true copy of company document/extract | ₦5,000 each |
| Private-company historical directors or shareholding report | ₦10,000 per listed report |
| Private-company historical all-information report | ₦20,000 |
| Due-diligence search, self-service | ₦50,000 |
| Persons with Significant Control, view only | Free |
Fees shown are the CAC schedule, not necessarily the full payment-provider or professional-service costs. Public-company historical reports can have different rates. Check live availability and charges before purchasing.
Formal reports may be worthwhile when signing a major contract, extending credit, acquiring a business or investigating inconsistent ownership claims.
Step 6: Investigate beneficial ownership
The person signing a contract is not necessarily the person who ultimately controls the business. CAC's official Beneficial Ownership Register covers Persons with Significant Control (PSC) and supports searching by company name, RC number or PSC name.
CAC explains PSC criteria including direct or indirect ownership of at least 5% of shares or voting rights, powers relating to board appointments and other significant influence or control. This information can support investigations into who stands behind a legal entity.
Public information depends on submissions and updates; an absent name is not automatically evidence of fraud. Seek specialist advice when a large acquisition or complex ownership structure is involved.
Step 7: Verify licences separately
Incorporation does not automatically authorise every service a company advertises. A business selling investments or offering regulated fund-management services may require approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission , which maintains a registered-operator search.
Banking, insurance, telecommunications, healthcare and other regulated sectors have different supervisors. Check the relevant authority for the activity concerned. Even a genuine CAC company may lack the operating licence it claims.
For significant payments, verify both who the legal entity is and whether it has the permission required for its business.
Step 8: Verify the payment destination independently
A genuine CAC record does not prove that the bank account in a text message belongs to the company. Compare the beneficiary name with the contract, quotation and official contact details. If money is requested for a different entity or an individual director, obtain a clear explanation and written authority.
For large transactions, confirm payment instructions using independently sourced contact information. Sudden account changes, pressure to transfer immediately and refusal to issue proper documentation are warning signs.
Do not publish private identity documents or unnecessary personal information while performing checks.
What if the company does not appear in search results?
Try the exact name or number again, including spelling variations, and ensure you selected the appropriate entity type. If the site is unavailable, retry or use CAC's official support service .
If no reliable match appears, request a current e-certificate and status report and confirm with CAC or a qualified professional before a major transaction. A missing result alone does not prove a business is fraudulent, but it is a reason to delay payment until the discrepancy is resolved.
For registering your own business, see FlyingEze's step-by-step 2026 CAC registration guide .
CAC verification checklist
- Request the exact registered legal name, registration number and certificate.
- Search the official CAC portal by RC number or name.
- Compare the available result with the company's certificate and contract.
- Obtain certified or historical records when the transaction justifies them.
- Review beneficial ownership information where relevant.
- Check any sector-specific authorisation with the proper regulator.
- Independently confirm the person representing the business and payment details.
- Retain dated evidence and resolve inconsistencies before paying.
Frequently asked questions
Is CAC company verification free?
Basic public-search information is free under the CAC gazette. Full electronic searches, status reports and certified records have additional charges.
Can I search with an RC number?
Yes. The official public-search field accepts company registration numbers and entity names. Use the identifier whenever possible.
Does an RC number prove a business is legitimate?
No. It identifies a registration record, not necessarily the authority of the person using it, the solvency of the entity or permission for regulated activities.
How are a certificate and status report different?
A certificate records incorporation or registration. An e-status report provides registration particulars in CAC's current document format; paid reports may provide further current or historical information.
How can I check who controls the company?
Search CAC's official Beneficial Ownership Register and, for formal due diligence, obtain appropriate extracts and advice.
Internal Linking Recommendations
For readers learning how to register a business with CAC , FlyingEze's registration walkthrough explains the application process. Those distinguishing trading names from incorporated entities should read Business Name vs Limited Liability Company in Nigeria . Owners concerned about regulatory status can also consult FlyingEze's report on why CAC removed companies from its register . These articles provide background, not substitutes for live verification.
Conclusion
Verifying a registered company in Nigeria begins with the official CAC public search. For significant commitments, continue by checking the certificate, obtaining official extracts where justified, investigating owners and confirming sector permissions and payment instructions.
For anyone researching how to register a business in Nigeria, it is worth remembering that registration establishes an official record; verification helps others confirm they are dealing with the correct entity. Careful checks can reduce risk without claiming any registry search makes a transaction perfectly safe.
Research verified 29 October 2026. CAC interfaces, record availability and fees may change. Consult CAC or qualified advisers for unresolved discrepancies and high-value transactions.
