What Is CAC Number in Nigeria? How to Get and Verify It (2025 Guide)
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| What Is CAC Number in Nigeria? How to Get and Verify It (2025 Guide) |
When you register a business in Nigeria, one of the most important identifiers you receive is your CAC number. But many business owners are still unsure of what it means, how to retrieve it, and how it differs from a CAC certificate. If you're one of them, this guide explains everything you need to know about the Corporate Affairs Commission number in Nigeria.
What Is CAC Number?
A CAC number is the unique registration number issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to every business or company that is successfully registered in Nigeria. It is also known as:
- Business Name Number (for sole proprietorships)
- RC Number (for registered companies)
This number acts as your business’s official government identifier, and it’s required for:
- Opening corporate bank accounts
- Verifying company identity
- Applying for loans, grants, and tenders
- Filing annual returns with CAC
Format of CAC Number
The format of the CAC number depends on your type of registration:
- For business names: Usually begins with BN, followed by digits (e.g., BN1234567)
- For companies: Starts with RC, followed by digits (e.g., RC1234567)
- For incorporated trustees/NGOs: Begins with IT (e.g., IT123456)
These identifiers help you and others verify your business's legal status in Nigeria.
Where to Find Your CAC Number
You can find your CAC number on:
- Your CAC certificate
- Your Business Name Registration or Company Incorporation documents
- Your business profile on the CAC portal
If you’ve misplaced your certificate or can’t remember your CAC number, don’t worry — you can easily retrieve or verify it online.
How to Verify a CAC Number
Verifying your CAC number ensures that your business is recognized by the Nigerian government. To check it:
- Visit the official CAC public search portal.
- Enter your company name or registration number.
- Click Search.
- You will see a list of matching businesses along with their CAC numbers and statuses.
This service is especially useful for confirming the legitimacy of other businesses before entering into contracts with them.
How to Get Your CAC Number
To obtain a CAC number, you need to complete your business registration process. Here’s how to register and get your CAC number online:
- Visit the CAC registration portal.
- Reserve your business name.
- Fill out the registration forms and upload necessary documents.
- Pay the registration fee via Remita.
- Download your CAC certificate after approval.
Once your registration is approved, your CAC number will be generated and printed on your certificate.
You can follow this step-by-step guide on how to register your business with CAC to get started.
Importance of CAC Number in Nigeria
Your CAC number is more than just a string of digits—it’s your key to operating a legally recognized business. It helps you:
- Build trust with customers and investors
- Access financial services tailored for businesses
- Bid for local and international contracts
- Participate in government empowerment schemes
Without it, your business is seen as informal and not legally recognized.
Understanding and protecting your CAC number is crucial for the long-term success of your business in Nigeria. Whether you're just starting or already registered, always keep this number safe and accessible. It is the legal identity of your business and can be used to verify your authenticity anywhere in Nigeria.
To verify or retrieve your CAC number now, use the CAC search portal or log in to your CAC registration dashboard.
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