Did you know a significant percentage of CAC applications are queried or rejected on the first attempt? Often, the cause isn’t a major legal issue. It’s usually a small, avoidable mistake that ends up costing weeks of delay and frustration.
Now, if that’s all there is, maybe the mistake can be easily fixed. However, those mistakes can also create long-term problems for your brand. A poorly chosen name, for example, can ruin your SEO, and inconsistent details can cause issues with online payment gateways. As a digital agency focused on growth, we see founders making these foundational errors all the time.
This guide is your preventative checklist. We will break down the top 10 CAC registration mistakes to help you build a business that is set up for digital success from day one.
Common CAC Registration Mistakes and How They Impact Your Brand
Here are the most common pitfalls and, more importantly, their direct impact on your marketing and online operations.
1. Not Conducting a Thorough Name Search
This is one of the most frequent CAC registration mistakes. A founder falls in love with a business name, builds a whole vision around it, and only then discovers it’s already registered by someone else. Don’t do that!
Before you even start the reservation process, use the free Public Search tool on the CAC portal. But don’t stop there. Also, search for the name on Google, Instagram, and check if the domain name is available.
If not, you’ll register a business name with the CAC only to find the domain name and all social media handles are already taken. Such a case will force you to use an unprofessional, mismatched online identity (e.g., your business is “Lagos Fresh Bakes” but your handle is “@LagosFreshBakes2025”), which confuses customers and dilutes your brand power from day one.
2. Choosing a Restricted or Prohibited Name
The CAC has a list of words that are restricted, such as “Federal,” “National,” “Government,” or “Group” for Business Name registrations. These words imply a certain scale or government patronage and require special consent to use. Always review the list of restricted words on the CAC website before submitting your name options.
- Digital Impact: Using a restricted name can create a brand name that is difficult to market, explain, or live up to, creating a brand perception problem.
3. Providing Inconsistent Personal Details
The name, address, and date of birth you provide for the proprietor or directors must exactly match the details on the government-issued ID you upload. Even a small variation or typo will get your application queried. Double-check every single letter and number against your NIN slip, driver’s license, or passport before you submit.
- Digital Impact: Inconsistent details can cause major issues when setting up important digital tools for your business. This includes creating corporate bank accounts and activating online payment gateways like Paystack or Flutterwave for your website, bringing your e-commerce operations to a halt.
4. Using a Vague Business “Nature” or “Objective”
When the form asks for the “Nature of Business,” many founders write something generic like “General Contracts” or “Trading.” The CAC often queries these vague descriptions, asking for more detail. Be specific and clear. For example, instead of “General Contracts,” write “Provision of Janitorial Services and Office Supplies.”
- Digital Impact: Your official “Nature of Business” helps define your brand’s focus and expertise. A vague description can lead to a fuzzy brand identity, making it harder for your digital marketing to communicate a clear, specialized value proposition to your target audience.
5. Uploading an Incorrectly Formatted Photograph
This is a simple technical error that causes unnecessary delays. The CAC portal has specific requirements for the dimensions (height and width) and the file size of the passport-style photograph you need to upload. Use a free online image resizing tool, such as Resizing, to ensure your photo meets the exact specifications before you begin the application process.
- Digital Impact: While seemingly small, this signals a lack of attention to detail—a quality that customers and partners look for in a professional and trustworthy brand.
6. Address Mismatches or Errors
Your principal business address must be a verifiable physical address in Nigeria, not a P.O. Box. Furthermore, ensure the address is written out in a clear and standard format. Use your office or home address. Write it out fully, including the street name, local government area, and state.
- Digital Impact: An incorrect or non-verifiable address can prevent you from being properly listed on Google Maps and other local directories, impacting your local SEO. This makes you completely invisible to the large number of potential local customers searching for your services.
7. Trying to Register an LTD as a Business Name
This is a structural mistake born from confusion. A “Business Name” and a “Limited Liability Company (LTD)” are fundamentally different. Understand the difference between the structures before you begin. As we covered in our guide on choosing your business structure, this choice impacts your liability, scalability, and brand perception.
- Digital Impact: This shows a misunderstanding of how your business wants to be perceived and scaled. It’s a foundational branding error that can limit your growth potential with larger corporate clients.
8. Ignoring a Query on Your Application
If the CAC has a question or needs a correction, they won’t call you. They will query your application on the portal, and it’s your responsibility to log in, check for it, and respond. After submitting, check your CAC portal every few days for any status updates or queries.
- Digital Impact: Ignoring a query will leave your application in limbo indefinitely. This leads to significant delays in your official launch, which can derail your entire marketing timeline for your website and social media debut.
9. Making Payment Errors on Remita
The Remita gateway is straightforward, but errors can happen. Ensure the name on the payment form matches the name on the application to avoid any confusion in reconciling your payment. Double-check all details before confirming the payment.
- Digital Impact: Payment issues can delay your registration, which in turn delays your ability to open a corporate bank account and start accepting online payments on your new website.
10. Not Downloading All Your Documents After Approval
Once your application is approved, you can download your Certificate of Registration. Many founders stop there, but you should also download the other accompanying documents, like the application status and form. Download all available documents and save them in a secure folder as soon as they are available.
- Digital Impact: These supplementary documents are often required to verify your business identity on platforms like Facebook Business Manager or when setting up international payment services like PayPal. Not having them handy can halt your digital marketing efforts just as you’re getting started.
From Correct Paperwork to a Cohesive Digital Brand
Avoiding these top 10 CAC registration mistakes is necessary for a smooth start. The next, more important step is building a powerful digital presence that can attract customers and generate revenue.
Our all-in-one launch packages are designed for founders who understand that legal registration and digital branding go hand-in-hand. We don’t just file your paperwork correctly; we use that solid foundation to build the professional website and execute the marketing strategy you need to thrive online.
Let us help you build your business the right way, from foundation to full-scale growth. See our Business Launch Packages here.
