Private Ltd · local operating business
Nigeria — Company formation
Share capital, director count and secretary requirements are confirmed for the case under CAMA 2020 before filing. Companies with foreign shareholders register separately with the NIPC; any minimum capital tied to foreign participation or permits is confirmed per case. The quote must state the registered address in Nigeria, secretary service, filing and stamp duties, NIPC registration and bank support. These are not confirmed inclusions.
Overview
Private company limited by shares (Ltd)
Share capital, director count and secretary requirements are confirmed for the case under CAMA 2020 before filing. Companies with foreign shareholders register separately with the NIPC; any minimum capital tied to foreign participation or permits is confirmed per case. Entity choice is confirmed against the ownership and intended activity; capital contributions are separate from service fees.
Good fit for
- A Nigerian private limited company incorporated with the Corporate Affairs Commission under the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020, which also governs annual returns and the beneficial ownership register.
- A local operating company or subsidiary with a documented commercial purpose
Limitations to plan for
- The CAC operates a public Beneficial Ownership Register; persons with significant control are disclosed.
- NIPC registration and any business permit are separate decisions after incorporation.
- Bank onboarding is the bank's own decision and may require local presence.
- Management location, owner tax residence and operations abroad may create tax and reporting obligations outside the place of incorporation. No tax rate or exemption is assumed.
Banking
Banking application assistance is optional and separately quoted. Banks assess the owners, beneficial owners, activity, source of funds and local connection independently. Incorporation does not guarantee an account or remote identification.
Package and price
An independent licensed provider files the company; BDA coordinates. Final inclusions are confirmed in the written offer after KYC.
Nigeria formation
From €8,990
Usually part of formation
- Name reservation and incorporation with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)
- Memorandum and articles and statement of share capital
- NIPC registration where foreign participation requires it
Optional, quoted separately
- Local address or registered office, to be confirmed in the offer
- Tax identification number
- Bookkeeping and accounting
- Bank-account application support (KYC and application, no guaranteed approval)
Every year
- Annual return to the CAC
- Annual accounts and corporate tax return
- Beneficial-ownership register updates
The CAC oversees annual returns for every company; filing fees and dates follow CAC rules and are confirmed per case. Accounts, tax returns and NIPC follow-up are budgeted separately.
Steps and documents
How formation runs
- 01
Search and reserve the company name on the CAC portal.
- 02
Prepare the memorandum and articles and the particulars of directors, shareholders and persons with significant control.
- 03
File the incorporation on the CAC portal and pay the filing and stamp duties.
- 04
Obtain the certificate of incorporation and the tax identification number.
- 05
Where foreign shareholders are involved, register with the NIPC and assess any permits the activity requires.
Documents and requirements
- Passport and proof of address for every owner, director and beneficial owner
- Short CV or business background
- Description of the activity, countries and expected flows
- Evidence of source of funds
- The CAC operates a public Beneficial Ownership Register; persons with significant control are disclosed.
- NIPC registration and any business permit are separate decisions after incorporation.
- Bank onboarding is the bank's own decision and may require local presence.
Separate scope · not included by default
Optional corporate services
Nominee director
An appointed director serves on the company's governing body and has real statutory and fiduciary responsibilities. This is not simply a name on a register: decision-making powers, signing authority and reporting duties must be agreed lawfully.
Availability and price on request
Directors are recorded with the CAC and carry statutory duties under CAMA 2020. Availability and fee of a local or professional director are on request.
Nominee shareholder
A nominee shareholder holds registered legal title to shares for an identified beneficial owner under a lawful, documented arrangement. Voting, dividends, instructions and transfer rights must be defined; this is a different role from a director.
Availability and price on request
Persons with significant control are disclosed to the CAC register. A nominee shareholding does not remove that disclosure; any arrangement is on request after legal review.
Beneficial-owner identification and bank/registered-agent KYC still apply. Nominee arrangements do not guarantee anonymity, an account, residence or a tax result. Availability, approvals and duties depend on local law and the provider's acceptance; some arrangements are unavailable or prohibited.
Banking application assistance
Business profile, ownership documents and application coordination. The bank makes its own decision; opening fees and ongoing bank charges are separate.
Registered office & company administration
Address, agent or secretary arrangements where required, corporate amendments and annual compliance coordination. The quote must state each service and period covered.
Incorporation is the easy part.
Most structures run into trouble later — at the bank, or with tax authorities. We plan for these from day one.
The bank says no
A company without a clear activity, substance or source-of-funds story is hard to bank. The account route is assessed before incorporation, not after.
Tax residence follows management
Where a company is managed and where its owners live can matter more than where it is registered. This is reviewed with qualified tax advisers.
Permanent establishment
Staff, offices or decision-making in another country can create a taxable presence there. The operating model is mapped early.
Automatic exchange of information
Under CRS and FATCA, account information is shared between many countries. Structures are designed to be transparent and compliant.
Questions
Which company type is used in Nigeria?
Private company limited by shares (Ltd): Share capital, director count and secretary requirements are confirmed for the case under CAMA 2020 before filing. Companies with foreign shareholders register separately with the NIPC; any minimum capital tied to foreign participation or permits is confirmed per case. Entity choice is confirmed against the ownership and intended activity; capital contributions are separate from service fees.
Can a Nigeria company open a bank account?
Banking application assistance is optional and separately quoted. Banks assess the owners, beneficial owners, activity, source of funds and local connection independently. Incorporation does not guarantee an account or remote identification. Banks decide independently. We prepare the application and explain likely options; no account is guaranteed.
Is the local tax rate my total tax?
No. Where the company is managed, where income arises, reporting rules and the owners’ own tax residence can create tax elsewhere. A qualified tax adviser reviews this before incorporation.
Is the starting price final?
No. It covers the simplest eligible case. Government fees, annual charges, VAT and third-party costs are confirmed in a written scope before payment.
Low or zero local tax is conditional
A local rate is not your total tax. Where the company is managed, where income arises, reporting rules and the owners’ own tax residence can create tax elsewhere. Your position is reviewed with a qualified tax adviser before incorporation.
Who files the company and how long does it take?
An independent local registered agent or corporate service provider, where required and suitably qualified. BDA coordinates. Timeline: Given after KYC review; depends on the registry and the provider.
Can ownership stay anonymous?
No. Beneficial owners are identified to providers and banks, and to registries where the law requires. Nominee services, where lawful, do not replace this disclosure.
Can a nominee replace beneficial-owner disclosure?
No. The director and shareholder roles are separate legal appointments. Beneficial owners must still be identified for applicable registry, agent and bank checks. Neither service is automatically available or included in formation.
Discuss a Nigeria company
Tell us the activity, owners and where you live. We reply with a first view and the next step.