A quick search can save you from reserving a name that clashes with one already taken, or from trusting a company that does not exist at all.
It takes a few minutes and costs nothing, which makes it an easy habit to build before either registering or paying anyone.
Why you would check before you register or invest
Two common situations call for this. You are about to reserve a company name and want to see what is already close to it. Or someone has quoted you an RC number and you want to confirm it is real before you deal with them.
Either way, the check itself is free and quick, and worth doing before you commit money. A supplier or a partner who resists a simple check like this is itself worth noticing.
Using the CAC public search
CAC offers a public search, the CAC public search on icrp.cac.gov.ng, where you can look up a company by name or registration number. It draws on the same register CAC itself uses.
Search a few variations of the name you have in mind, not just the exact spelling. Small differences in spacing or wording can hide a close match, and CAC's own name-rejection rules treat those close matches seriously.
What the search confirms and what it does not
The search tells you whether a name or number is on the register. That is useful, but it is not the same as a full picture of the company today.
It will not necessarily show you current directors, shareholders or share capital in the same way a status report does. Treat the search as a first check, not the last word.
Checking your own new company shows up
Once your own registration is approved, it is reasonable to search for it yourself, partly to confirm everything went through correctly. This article cannot confirm exactly how soon a new company appears in the search after approval.
If it does not show up right away, wait a while and then try again before assuming something has gone wrong. This article cannot confirm exactly how long records take to update across the portal.
If the search cannot confirm what you need
When the public search is not detailed enough, for instance for a bank, a tender, or serious due diligence, request a document that goes further. A status report or a certified true copy both carry more weight than a search result.
See certified true copy of CAC documents: the fee for when that is the better option. If you have not yet registered your own company, you can start a CAC company registration once you have checked your chosen name is clear on the register.