By Erewunmi Peace

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), in partnership with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), has launched a nationwide initiative to provide free business name registration for 250,000 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the country.

The program aims to formalize thousands of small businesses, giving them access to government funding, grants, and other economic empowerment opportunities.

According to a joint statement by both agencies, the free registration scheme is part of the Federal Government’s broader drive to boost entrepreneurship, promote job creation, and strengthen the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

Speaking during the official rollout, the Registrar-General of CAC, Hussaini Ishaq Magaji (SAN), said the collaboration is designed to help small business owners overcome the financial challenges associated with business registration.

“This initiative is about giving every Nigerian entrepreneur the chance to be recognized legally, access financial support, and contribute to national development,” Magaji said.

Also speaking, the Director-General of SMEDAN, Charles Odii, stated that the agency remains committed to supporting small businesses through capacity building, digital tools, and market linkages.

“Formalization is the first step toward building a sustainable enterprise. We are empowering small business owners to move from survival mode to growth,” Odii added.

The registration process will be conducted through CAC’s online platform, while SMEDAN will handle the selection and verification of qualified applicants across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Entrepreneurs are encouraged to visit www.smedan.gov.ng or www.cac.gov.ng for application details and eligibility guidelines.

Beneficiaries: 250,000 MSMEs nationwide

Agencies involved: Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) & SMEDAN

Benefit: Free business name registration

Goal: Encourage formalization, financial inclusion, and business growth