CAC business name registration is an important step in your business journey in Nigeria. It gives your business legitimacy alongside the benefits that come with it. A trademark is also important. Many people hear trademarks, and what comes to mind is a ‘Mark of legitimacy’; a mark that says your business or brand is original. However, as similar as they might sound in a layperson’s language, this post will show their differences.
What is CAC Business Name Registration?
The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) is responsible for registering businesses in Nigeria. When registering a business name with the CAC, you tell the Nigerian government, “This business exists and belongs to me.”
Registering a business name gives you the legal right to operate within Nigeria, open a business bank account, and access funding and government opportunities.
What CAC registration does:
- Gives your business a legal identity
- Allows you to operate formally
- Helps you access business banking, grants, and contracts
What it doesn’t do:
- It does not prevent someone else from using your business name in another context
- It does not protect your brand name, logo, or product designs from being copied
What is a Trademark?
A trademark is a form of intellectual property protection. It protects your brand’s unique identifiers, such as your name, logo, slogan, product packaging, or even sound, from being used by others.
When you trademark your brand in Nigeria (through the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment), you gain exclusive rights to that mark nationwide. This means no one else can legally use or imitate your registered trademark.
What a trademark does:
- Protects your brand identity
- Prevents others from copying or stealing your name/logo
- Gives you legal grounds to sue if your brand is infringed on
What it doesn’t do:
- It doesn’t automatically permit you to operate as a business
Why You Might Need Both
Registering your business name with CAC gives you legal legitimacy, but only a trademark protects your brand identity.
Imagine you start a skincare brand called “GlowPure” and register the name with CAC. A few months later, someone else launches a similar product online using the same name or logo. If you don’t have a trademark, there’s little legal action you can take. But with a registered trademark, you can stop them.
For any serious business, both CAC registration and trademarking should be part of your brand protection plan.
How to Register Each
Registering a CAC Business Name:
- Visit the CAC portal: https://pre.cac.gov.ng/
- Check for name availability
- Fill out the online forms and submit the required documents
- Pay the registration fee (usually between ₦10,000 and ₦20,000)
- Get your certificate in 3–7 business days
Registering a Trademark in Nigeria:
- Apply through the Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment or an accredited agent
- Submit your desired mark (name, logo, etc.) and class of goods/services
- Pay the fee (varies, but from ₦50,000+ depending on complexity)
- Get examined and published in the Trademarks Journal
- Certificate issued after no opposition — process may take several months
Final Thoughts
CAC business name registration and trademarking are essential in building a trusted, legally protected business in Nigeria.
One gives you the license to operate. The other gives you the power to protect.
If you’re serious about building a lasting brand, take both steps. Need help registering your business or protecting your brand name? Send us a message; we’re here to guide you!