Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Federal Government has officially opened access to 250,000 free business name registrations for eligible entrepreneurs across Nigeria, a move aimed at removing the cost barrier to formalising Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and stimulating economic growth at the grassroots level. The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), in a public notice issued on Saturday, August 15, 2026, via its official X (formerly Twitter) account, reminded the public that the initiative, approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is designed to support the growth and development of small businesses by waiving all statutory registration fees for qualifying applicants.
According to the notice, interested and eligible entrepreneurs are required to register exclusively through the official portal of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) at portal.smedan.gov.ng to be considered among the 250,000 beneficiaries. The registration is completely free, and the CAC will process the business name registrations without charging any fees to the applicants. "The Corporate Affairs Commission will NOT request payment for this registration," the commission stressed in its announcement, which has been widely shared across news platforms.
In a strong warning to the public, the CAC cautioned entrepreneurs to beware of fraudsters who may attempt to exploit the programme by demanding money or claiming they can fast-track the registration process. "Beware of fraudsters! Do not pay anyone claiming to fast-track your registration," the commission warned. The notice advised applicants to deal only through the designated SMEDAN portal and to avoid sharing payments or personal information with unauthorised individuals or agents. The government reiterated that no payment is required for the approved free registration, and any request for money in connection with the programme is a scam.
The initiative, which is part of President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, is expected to encourage more entrepreneurs to formalise their businesses, thereby improving their access to credit, government support programmes, and other opportunities available to registered enterprises. The CAC and SMEDAN have been working collaboratively to ensure a seamless registration process for the 250,000 beneficiaries, with the commission deploying technology to reduce service delays and expedite the issuance of certificates.
Entrepreneurs seeking to benefit from the programme are encouraged to act promptly and visit the official SMEDAN portal to complete their registration. The notice, dated August 15, 2026, was signed by the management of the Corporate Affairs Commission and has been widely circulated on the commission's official X account and other verified platforms.
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