Tinubu Approves Free CAC Registration for 250,000 MSMEs Nationwide – How to Apply

Tinubu Approves Free CAC Registration for 250,000 MSMEs Nationwide – How to Apply

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially approved the free formalization and corporate registration of 250,000 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, in a move designed to remove financial barriers for small business owners and integrate them into the formal economy. The initiative, announced at the 8th National MSME Awards 2026, includes full business name registration through the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), specialized technical training, and aftercare support to ensure long-term business survival.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially approved the free formalization and corporate registration of 250,000 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory. The major announcement was made public on Saturday at the State House in Abuja during the prestigious 8th National MSME Awards 2026. This extensive intervention is targeted at removing financial bottlenecks for nano, micro, and small-scale entrepreneurs, effectively integrating them into Nigeria’s formal banking and regulatory ecosystem. Under this newly approved presidential directive, beneficiaries will receive full business name registrations without paying the standard statutory fees to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

The intervention represents a significant financial concession, with the CAC forgoing approximately ₦3 billion in registration fees to make this programme possible. Top officials within the regulatory agencies noted that the waiver is aimed entirely at driving down the high mortality rate of small businesses nationwide, a challenge that has long hindered economic growth and job creation in the country. The implementation of this policy is driven through a strategic partnership involving the CAC and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN). This collaboration reflects President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes economic inclusion, entrepreneurship, and job creation as key pillars of national development.

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Beyond the waiver of registration costs, the federal intervention package encapsulates moral support for business owners alongside specialized technical training for beneficiaries to ensure long-term corporate survival. Registered businesses will gain access to aftercare services, including grants, capacity-building programmes, technical support, and market linkages. According to SMEDAN Director-General, Dr. Charles Odii, formalisation is the gateway to support. He explained that by ensuring these businesses are registered and onboarded into the agency’s database, the government can provide continuous aftercare, whether that’s access to grants, training, or new markets. This comprehensive approach is intended not only to formalize businesses but also to help them grow and sustain operations in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

The CAC Registrar-General, Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, SAN, further explained that the initiative is intended to break down barriers that keep many businesses informal, giving entrepreneurs a clear pathway to growth and legitimacy. He noted that concerns about taxation have been addressed under the new tax framework taking effect in 2026, which raises exemption thresholds for small businesses, ensuring that registration will not become a tax burden for beneficiaries.

To access this federal government intervention, interested small business owners are required to log onto the official SMEDAN portal using the designation #SMEDANGov to complete their documentation and secure their onboarding slots. The application process is straightforward and designed to be accessible even to entrepreneurs with limited digital literacy. Interested applicants should visit portal.smedan.gov.ng and complete the registration form. When asked if they have a CAC number, they should select “No” and submit their details to complete the process. Once registration is complete, applicants will be contacted with the next steps to finalize their CAC registration. For entrepreneurs less familiar with digital platforms, SMEDAN State Offices nationwide and physical Business Clinics will provide onboarding assistance. MSMEs already on SMEDAN’s database without CAC registration automatically qualify for this free registration drive, making the process even more seamless for existing micro-enterprises.

The 8th National MSME Awards, which served as the platform for this announcement, is an annual event organized to recognize outstanding small businesses and promote entrepreneurship across the country. The awards also serve as a platform for unveiling new government policies aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s MSME sector, which remains one of the largest employers of labour in the nation.

Industry stakeholders have welcomed the initiative, describing it as a game-changer for small businesses that have long struggled with the cost and complexity of formal registration. Small business owners across the country have expressed optimism that the intervention will open doors to financing, government contracts, and broader market opportunities that were previously out of reach. The federal government has urged all eligible entrepreneurs to take advantage of this opportunity, emphasizing that the 250,000 slots will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested business owners are advised to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on this transformative initiative.

Tinubu Approves Free CAC Registration for 250,000 MSMEs Nationwide – How to Apply