Before you spend money reserving a business name with CAC, you can check whether it’s already taken — for free. Here’s exactly how, and what to do if your first choice is unavailable.
How to Search for Business Name Availability
- Go to the CAC public search portal — the Corporate Affairs Commission provides a public company/business name search tool on its official website.
- Enter your proposed name — search for the exact name and close variations, since CAC also rejects names that are “too similar,” not just identical matches.
- Review the results — if no exact or confusingly similar match appears, your name is likely available for reservation, though final approval still rests with the registrar.
- Reserve the name promptly — availability isn’t guaranteed to last; another applicant could reserve the same name before you if you delay.
What Counts as “Too Similar”?
CAC doesn’t only block identical names. Names that differ only by punctuation, spacing, common abbreviations (“Ltd” vs “Limited”), or a minor word swap can still be rejected as confusingly similar to an existing registration. This is why a search that only checks for an exact match can miss a real conflict.
What If Your Name Is Taken?
You have a few realistic options: choose a genuinely distinct name, add a distinguishing word that changes the overall impression (not just a cosmetic tweak), or check whether the existing registration is for an unrelated business type in a different sector — though this doesn’t guarantee CAC will treat it as sufficiently distinct.
Why a Professional Search Matters
An experienced agent doing this search knows the patterns CAC’s examiners actually flag — not just exact-match conflicts, but structural similarities that a first-time applicant might not think to check. This is one of the most common (and cheapest to avoid) causes of registration delays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the CAC name search free?
Yes, checking name availability is free — you only pay once you proceed to reserve and register the name.
How long is a name reserved once approved?
Name reservations are held for a limited period, after which you must complete registration or the reservation lapses and the name becomes available to others again.
Can someone else register my exact business name in a different state?
No, CAC’s business name register is national, not state-based — a registered name is protected across Nigeria, not just in one location.
Can I reserve multiple name options at once?
It’s generally more efficient to search and confirm one strong option first, since reserving multiple names unnecessarily can add cost without added benefit.
Not sure if your name will pass CAC’s review?
Lifehampers Global Consults runs a proper name search and handles your full registration — get a free consultation.
