Please note
Belmadeng is an independent study platform and is not affiliated with the CAC. This is general information, not legal or financial advice — register and manage your business only on the official CAC portals (pre.cac.gov.ng and post.cac.gov.ng) and pay through official channels. You can register a business name or a simple company yourself; for complex structures consider a professional. Beware clone sites and agents charging inflated fees.
Verify a company
You can verify a registered business or company using the CAC public search on the official CAC website — confirming it exists and is registered, by its name or registration number.
Why verify
Before you do business with, pay, or partner with a company, verifying it on CAC helps confirm it is genuine and legally registered — a simple protection against fraud.
RC & registration numbers
Registered companies have an RC number and business names a BN number (registration number). You can search by name or number to pull up the entity’s basic public details.
Check your application status
While your own registration is processing, follow its status on the CAC portal (pre.cac.gov.ng) where you applied — you’ll be notified when it’s approved and your certificate is ready to download.
Stay safe
Use only the official CAC website for verification. A certificate can also be checked via its details — be wary of anyone presenting a company they won’t let you verify.
Tips
- Verify before large dealings.
- Keep your own RC/BN number and certificate safe.
- Use only official CAC channels.
How to verify a company
CAC status verification lets anyone confirm that a business or company is genuinely registered and check basic details, using the CAC's public search. You typically search by name or by RC/BN number to see whether the entity exists on the register and its status. It's a quick, sensible check — and because a registered entity's TIN is now tied to its CAC record, confirming CAC registration effectively confirms the business behind the number too. Use the official CAC portal for this.
Why you'd check
Verification matters whenever trust and money are involved. You might check a company before paying a supplier, signing a contract, or partnering; a bank verifies before opening an account; and you might confirm your own entity's status and good standing before a tender or bank process. A quick search can reveal that a “company” isn't actually registered, or that details don't match what you were told — exactly the kind of red flag worth catching before you commit funds or enter an agreement.
Use official sources only
Do verification through the official CAC public search only. Be wary of look-alike websites or anyone offering to “verify” a company for a fee off-platform — the genuine public search is the authoritative source. If a business can't be found or its details don't line up, treat that as a warning and ask for clarification before proceeding. And keep your own entity verifiable and in good standing by filing annual returns on time — a clean, current CAC record is part of your credibility with everyone who checks.
Frequently asked questions
How do I verify a Nigerian company?
Use the CAC public search on the official CAC website — search by the company/business name or its registration (RC/BN) number to confirm it is registered.
How do I check if a business is registered with CAC?
Search its name or registration number on the CAC public search; a genuine, registered entity will appear with its basic public details.
What is an RC number?
The registration number for a company (RC), while a business name has a BN number — both identify a registered entity.
How do I check my CAC application status?
Follow the status on the CAC portal (pre.cac.gov.ng) where you applied; you’re notified when it’s approved and your certificate is ready.
Why should I verify a company?
To confirm it is genuine and legally registered before you pay, partner or do business with it.
How do I verify a company is registered with CAC?
Use the CAC public search on the official portal — search by name or by RC/BN number to confirm the entity exists on the register and check its status. Since a registered entity's TIN is now tied to its CAC record, confirming CAC registration effectively confirms the business behind the number too.
Why should I verify a company's CAC status?
Whenever trust and money are involved — before paying a supplier, signing a contract or partnering; banks verify before opening an account; and you might confirm your own status before a tender. A quick search can reveal a 'company' isn't actually registered or that details don't match, before you commit funds.
Can I check a company by its RC number?
Yes — the CAC public search lets you look up an entity by name or by RC/BN number to confirm it's on the register and see its status. Use the official CAC portal rather than third-party sites for a reliable result.
Is it safe to verify a company on any website?
No — use the official CAC public search only. Be wary of look-alike websites or anyone offering to 'verify' a company for a fee off-platform; the genuine public search is the authoritative source. If details don't line up, treat it as a warning and seek clarification.
How do I keep my own company verifiable?
File your annual returns on time to stay in good standing — a clean, current CAC record is what shows up when banks, clients or partners run a status check, and it's part of your credibility. Keep your registered details accurate too.