Register a Company in Nigeria
Fast, Compliant, Fully Managed

MaxisHR registers your Nigeria business in 10–20 business days — handling entity setup, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) filing, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) tax registration, and payroll-readiness from day one. Corporate tax: 30%. VAT: 7.5%.

MaxisHR Corporate Services

West Africa Company Formation Specialists

Company FormationWest Africa10–20 business days

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Nigeria Company Facts

2026 incorporation data

10–20

Total Timeline

NGN

Registration Cost

30%

Corporate Tax

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VAT Rate

7.5%

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VAT Threshold

NGN 25,000,000/yr

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Currency

NGN

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Registry

Corporate Affairs Commission

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Entity Types

4 available

Ready to hire?

No entity needed. Onboard your first employee in days with full compliance.

Start Nigeria Registration→

10–20

Typical timeline in Nigeria

30%

Corporate income tax

7.5%

Standard VAT rate

Entity types available

Incorporating in Nigeria

Company Registration in Nigeria — Complete Guide 2026

Registering a company in Nigeria gives your business a local legal presence — enabling you to open corporate bank accounts, hire employees directly, sign local contracts, and access government procurement. Nigeria is Africa's largest economy and most populous nation, making it one of West Africa's most compelling markets for business expansion.

The registration process in Nigeria involves filing with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), obtaining a company tax identification number from Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), registering for VAT (if your turnover exceeds NGN 25,000,000/yr), and completing employer registration for PAYE and social security contributions.

MaxisHR handles the entire Nigeria company formation process — from name reservation and document preparation to registry filing, tax registration, and payroll setup. Most clients have a fully operational Nigeria entity within 10–20 business days of engagement.

Name search and reservation with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)

Memorandum & Articles of Association drafted and filed

Certificate of Incorporation obtained

Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) registration — corporate tax, VAT, PAYE

Employer registration — social security and statutory levies

Registered office address provision in Nigeria

Corporate bank account introduction

Payroll setup — MaxisHR NGN payroll from day one

Nigeria Entity Types

Business Structures Available in Nigeria

Min. capital: NGN 100,000 · Timeline: 5–10 business days

Private Limited Company (Ltd/GTE)

Standard incorporation via CAC. Minimum 2 shareholders. Most common for foreign investment.

Min. capital: NGN 2,000,000 · Timeline: 15–20 business days

Public Limited Company (PLC)

For entities seeking public investment. Minimum 7 shareholders, NGN 2,000,000 minimum capital.

Min. capital: N/A · Timeline: 10–15 business days

Branch of Foreign Company

Foreign companies can register a branch with CAC. Requires CAC Form 10 and parent company board resolution.

Min. capital: N/A · Timeline: 15–25 business days

Incorporated Trustee (NGO)

For non-profit organisations. Requires trustee resolution and constitution.

The Process

How to Register a Company in Nigeria with MaxisHR

Step 1

Name availability search (1 day)

Check name availability via CAC's online portal. Reserve company name — valid for 60 days. MaxisHR runs name searches instantly.

Step 2

Prepare incorporation documents (2–3 days)

Draft Memorandum and Articles of Association, director/shareholder details, and registered address. MaxisHR prepares all documentation to CAC standard.

Step 3

CAC registration & certificate (3–5 days)

File with the Corporate Affairs Commission. Upon approval, receive Certificate of Incorporation, CAC Form 1.1 (directors), and CAC Form 2.1 (shareholders).

Step 4

FIRS & SIRS tax registration (2–3 days)

Obtain Company TIN from FIRS, register for VAT (if applicable), and set up PAYE with the State Internal Revenue Service where your employees are based.

Step 5

Business permits & sector licences (Varies)

Obtain relevant federal or state permits for your industry — banking (CBN), insurance (NAICOM), food (NAFDAC), telecoms (NCC), etc. MaxisHR maps all requirements.

Step 6

Bank account & payroll readiness (3–5 days)

Open a NGN corporate bank account and connect MaxisHR payroll for PAYE, PFA pension, and NSITF compliance from day one.

Tax Rates

Nigeria Corporate Tax Rates & Business Tax Overview 2026

Component	Employee	Employer	Notes
Companies Income Tax (CIT)	30% (large) / 20% (medium) / 0% (small)	—	Small = <NGN 25M turnover. Medium = NGN 25M–100M.
VAT	7.5%	—	Registration required above NGN 25M annual turnover.
Withholding Tax (dividends)	10%	—	Final tax for resident and non-resident shareholders.
Education Tax (EDT)	2.5% of assessable profit	—	Assessed alongside CIT.
PAYE (employer obligation)	7–24% graduated	—	Personal Income Tax Act — state-based remittance.
NITF / NSITF Levy	1% of net profit	—	Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund — employer only.

📌Source: Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS)· Effective 2026

Annual Compliance

Nigeria Annual Compliance Calendar — 2026

Component	Employee	Employer	Notes
Annual Return (CAC)	Within 42 days of AGM	—	CAC Form A1 with updated shareholder and director register
CIT Return (FIRS)	6 months after year-end	—	Estimated tax returns due quarterly
VAT Return	21st of following month	—	Monthly — via TaxPro Max portal
PAYE Monthly Return	10th of following month	—	Filed with relevant State Internal Revenue Service
Audited Accounts	Within 6 months of year-end	—	Required for companies with turnover above NGN 25M

📌Source: Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)· Effective 2026

Why MaxisHR for Nigeria Company Registration

5 Reasons to Register Your Nigeria Company with MaxisHR

MaxisHR combines local West Africa expertise, digital efficiency, and end-to-end support to make Nigeria company formation faster, cheaper, and less risky than doing it alone.

Fastest Nigeria incorporation — 10–20 business days guaranteed

10–20 business days

MaxisHR's established relationships with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) mean your Nigeria company is registered faster than any DIY approach. We track your application in real time and escalate any delays immediately.

Zero compliance risk — all filings handled by West Africa experts

Expert-Filed

Nigeria's company registration process involves multiple authorities, precise document requirements, and strict deadlines. MaxisHR's West Africa legal team prepares every document to the exact standard required — eliminating rejection risk and costly re-filings.

All-inclusive pricing — no hidden government fees

Fixed Price

MaxisHR provides a fixed-price company registration service in Nigeria covering all government fees, document preparation, authority submissions, and tax registrations. You know the total cost upfront — with no surprise invoices.

Payroll-ready from day one — NGN payroll connected at registration

Payroll-Ready

Unlike standalone incorporation agents, MaxisHR connects your new Nigeria entity to our payroll platform from day one — so your first employee hire and PAYE filing happen seamlessly. No gap between incorporation and operational readiness.

Ongoing company secretarial and compliance support

Ongoing Support

After registration, MaxisHR manages your Nigeria annual returns, tax filings, compliance calendar, and company secretarial obligations — so you never miss a deadline or face a penalty. One partner from incorporation to ongoing operations.

MaxisHR Platform

Digital Company Management Tools — Built for Nigeria

Once your Nigeria company is registered, MaxisHR's platform keeps it compliant, connected, and running — from director dashboards to automated tax filings.

Company Compliance Dashboard

Real-Time

Track every Nigeria compliance obligation in one place — annual return deadlines, tax filing dates, licence renewals, and director obligations. MaxisHR sends alerts 30 days, 7 days, and 24 hours before each deadline.

Automated Annual Returns & Tax Filings

Automated

MaxisHR files your Nigeria annual returns with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and corporate tax returns with Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) automatically — before every deadline. You review and approve; we handle the submission.

Director & Shareholder Register — Always Current

Digital Records

MaxisHR maintains your Nigeria statutory registers — directors, shareholders, charges, and minutes — in digital format. Instantly download a CR12 or equivalent director confirmation letter whenever needed.

Corporate Bank Account Introduction

Banking Support

MaxisHR has working relationships with major West Africa banks — facilitating faster corporate account opening for your Nigeria entity. We prepare the required board resolutions, KYC documents, and bank introduction letters.

Multi-Country Entity Management

55 Countries

Managing entities across Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Ghana? MaxisHR's multi-country dashboard shows all your West Africa entities, compliance status, and upcoming deadlines in a single view — from one login.

Secure Document Vault

Secure Storage

All your Nigeria corporate documents — Certificate of Incorporation, MOI, shareholder register, tax certificates, and annual returns — stored securely in MaxisHR's encrypted document vault. Accessible 24/7 from anywhere.

Making the Right Choice

Nigeria Own Entity vs. Employer of Record — Which is Right for You?

Factor	Own Nigeria Entity	MaxisHR EOR (No Entity)
Setup time	10–20 business days	5–10 business days
Setup cost	NGN 10,000–50,000 + professional fees	No incorporation cost
Minimum commitment	Long-term — dissolution is complex	Flexible — scale up or down anytime
Corporate tax filing	Annual — your responsibility	Not applicable — no entity
Annual compliance	5 filings/year	Handled by MaxisHR
Best for	Long-term market commitment, high headcount	Testing market, remote teams, fast hiring
Payroll	NGN payroll via MaxisHR	NGN payroll via MaxisHR
Repatriation of profits	Via dividend — WHT applies	Invoice-based — simpler

Nigeria Compliance Risks

Key Compliance Risks When Registering in Nigeria

Understanding Nigeria's compliance landscape before you incorporate protects your business from costly penalties and operational disruption. MaxisHR's West Africa legal team identifies and mitigates these risks before they arise.

Failure to file annual returns results in company striking off by CAC

PAYE must be remitted to the state where employee physically works

Foreign companies must register with CAC before operating — fines of NGN 10M+ apply

Transfer pricing documentation required for related-party transactions above NGN 300M

More services in Nigeria

Other MaxisHR Services in Nigeria

Employer of Record

Employer of Record in Nigeria

Not ready to incorporate? MaxisHR hires employees in Nigeria on your behalf — managing contracts, NGN payroll, and statutory compliance without a local entity.

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Payroll Services

Nigeria Payroll Services

Once incorporated, MaxisHR runs your NGN payroll — PAYE, pension, and statutory deductions — every month. Payslips delivered via WhatsApp and employee portal.

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Tax Compliance

Tax Compliance in Nigeria

MaxisHR manages all your Nigeria tax obligations — monthly PAYE, VAT returns, and annual corporate tax — filed on time, every time.

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Contractor Management

Contractor Management in Nigeria

Engage and pay independent contractors in Nigeria compliantly alongside your incorporated entity — with proper contracts and NGN payment workflows.

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HR Advisory

HR Advisory in Nigeria

Post-incorporation HR support — employment contracts, workforce policies, labour law compliance, and disciplinary procedures aligned with Labour Act (Cap L1, LFN 2004).

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Salary Benchmarking

Nigeria Salary Survey

Build your Nigeria team with confidence. MaxisHR's 2026 salary benchmark data covers all key roles — helping you attract talent with competitive NGN packages.

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Company Registration FAQs

Registering a Company in Nigeria — Common Questions

How long does it take to register a company in Nigeria?

Company registration in Nigeria typically takes 10–20 business days from submission of complete documents. MaxisHR handles the entire process — name reservation, document preparation, registry submission, and tax registration — so you can focus on your business while we manage the paperwork.

What is the cost of company registration in Nigeria?

Government registration fees in Nigeria start from NGN 10,000–50,000. Total cost depends on your chosen entity type, share capital, and any sector-specific licence fees. MaxisHR provides a full cost breakdown before you commit — with no hidden charges.

Can a foreign company register a business in Nigeria?

Yes. Foreign investors can register companies in Nigeria through a locally incorporated Private Limited Company, Branch Office, or Representative Office. MaxisHR specialises in helping international businesses navigate Nigeria's foreign ownership rules, minimum capital requirements, and regulatory approvals.

What is the corporate tax rate in Nigeria?

The standard corporate income tax rate in Nigeria is 30%. VAT applies at 7.5% on taxable supplies above NGN 25,000,000/yr. MaxisHR's tax team ensures your Nigeria entity is structured for tax efficiency from day one — including available incentives, exemptions, and treaty benefits.

What ongoing compliance is required after incorporating in Nigeria?

After incorporation in Nigeria, companies must file annual returns with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), submit corporate tax returns to Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), file monthly PAYE and VAT returns, and maintain audited financial statements. MaxisHR's compliance calendar tracks every deadline and files on your behalf — ensuring you never miss a return.

Do I need a physical office address to register a company in Nigeria?

Yes. Nigeria requires a registered local address for company incorporation. MaxisHR provides a registered office address service in Nigeria — satisfying the legal requirement while you establish your physical presence at your own pace.

Can MaxisHR act as a company secretary or local representative in Nigeria?

Yes. MaxisHR provides company secretarial services in Nigeria — including acting as local representative, maintaining statutory registers, filing annual returns, and ensuring ongoing corporate governance compliance. Our Nigeria team monitors regulatory changes and proactively advises you on required actions.

Ready to Register Your Nigeria Company?

MaxisHR handles the complete Nigeria incorporation process — Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) filing, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) registration, and payroll setup — in 10–20 business days. Get a fixed-price quote today.

Africa-wide coverage

Company Registration Across All 55 African Countries

MaxisHR incorporates businesses across every African market. Search below to find incorporation timelines, corporate tax rates, and registration requirements for your target country.

55 countries covered