The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has ushered in a new era of efficiency in business registration with its Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered portal, which now processes over 11,000 transactions daily.
Launched on June 30, 2025, the innovative platform has significantly streamlined the registration process, enabling entrepreneurs to obtain registration certificates in as little as 30 minutes once a director’s National Identification Number (NIN) is verified. However, the transition to this automated system has not been without challenges, as technical glitches related to identity verification and payment processing continue to impact user experience.
In a statement released on its official X handle on Sunday, the CAC celebrated the portal’s milestones while acknowledging ongoing issues. The commission highlighted the platform’s ability to handle high volumes of requests with unprecedented speed. “Last Friday alone, we received 8,000 name reservation requests, all processed the same day.
That would have taken two weeks manually,” the CAC stated. “You can’t compare AI with humans for service delivery. Automation through intelligence is necessary. It’s a change we must accept.”
The AI portal has introduced several user-friendly features, including the ability to test multiple business names without upfront payment, which lowers barriers for entrepreneurs and small business owners. This functionality, combined with rapid certificate issuance, has been hailed as a game-changer for Nigeria’s business ecosystem, fostering a more conducive environment for startups and promoting economic growth.
Addressing Technical Challenges
Despite its successes, the CAC acknowledged that dependencies on external systems have hampered the portal’s performance. The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) portal, which is critical for automatic NIN verification, has been offline for weeks, resulting in delays in the registration process. Additionally, intermittent outages on the REMITA payment gateway and the ProTax platform have disrupted fee collection and stamp duty remittances, respectively.
To mitigate these issues, the CAC has taken proactive measures. The commission has established a dedicated help desk portal that handles 3,000 complaint emails daily, allowing real-time resolution of user concerns.
Software patches are being deployed to address disrupted services, with the CAC expressing confidence that full functionality will be restored soon. Furthermore, the commission has sought Treasury approval for an alternative payment channel to ensure continuity during REMITA outages, demonstrating its commitment to improving service reliability.
Enhanced Security Measures
Security has also been a priority for the CAC, with the introduction of one-time passwords (OTPs) for every transaction to safeguard filings from unauthorized access. This measure aims to build trust in the platform, particularly for businesses handling sensitive information during registration.
Stakeholder Feedback and Future Improvements
The CAC has emphasized its openness to feedback, noting that stakeholder input has been instrumental in refining the platform. “The Commission is not unmindful of the fact that transition comes with challenges,” the statement read. “With valuable feedback from stakeholders, we are sure of delivering a better-quality service.”
Lawyers and other users have flagged issues related to identity verification and payment processing, prompting the CAC to prioritize technical resolutions. The commission’s responsiveness to these concerns, coupled with its ongoing efforts to address external platform dependencies, signals a commitment to delivering a seamless user experience.
A Step Toward Digital Transformation
The CAC’s AI-powered portal aligns with Nigeria’s broader push for digital transformation in public service delivery. By automating processes that once required weeks of manual effort, the platform has significantly reduced bureaucratic bottlenecks, making it easier for businesses to formalize operations. The ability to process thousands of transactions daily underscores the potential of AI to revolutionize governance and service delivery in Nigeria.
However, the reliance on external systems like NIMC and REMITA highlights the need for robust interagency collaboration to ensure the success of such initiatives. As the CAC continues to refine its platform, stakeholders are optimistic that the portal will set a new standard for efficiency and accessibility in business registration.
For further inquiries or assistance, users are encouraged to contact the CAC’s dedicated help desk or visit the commission’s official website for updates on the portal’s functionality. As Nigeria embraces the digital age, the CAC’s AI portal stands as a testament to the transformative power of technology in fostering economic growth and innovation.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
The Corporate Affairs Commission’s AI-powered business registration portal, launched on June 30, 2025, processes over 11,000 transactions daily, issuing certificates in 30 minutes and reducing barriers for entrepreneurs.
Despite challenges with external platforms like NIMC and REMITA, the CAC is actively addressing technical issues and enhancing security, demonstrating the transformative potential of AI in streamlining Nigeria’s business registration process. Key takeaway: Automation is revolutionizing service delivery, but seamless integration with external systems is critical for sustained success.
