If you’ve ever tried to register a business in Nigeria, you already know the drama.
From the “my guy wey dey do CAC” middlemen to WhatsApp agents promising same-day registration for ₦10,000, the entire process can feel like navigating Lagos traffic on a Monday morning—frustrating, confusing, and full of surprises.
Many Nigerians only discover their business names are fake when it’s already too late.
It usually starts with a simple twist of fate:
A young fashion entrepreneur tries to open a business bank account but the bank officer keeps typing and frowning.
A tech startup founder applies for a grant, only to be told her RC number “does not exist.”
A small business owner tries to bid for a contract, and procurement replies with the dreaded: “Your CAC details could not be verified.”
That sinking feeling?
That is the beginning of heartbreak, anger, and confusion—especially when you realize the “agent” you paid has disappeared faster than NEPA light during rainfall.
But this does NOT have to be your story.
In today’s Nigeria—where scammers now use fake RC numbers, cloned documents, and fabricated certificates—verifying your business registration is no longer optional; it is survival.
And with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) recently exposing 15 fake companies operating with fraudulent details, the warning bells are louder than ever.
So let’s break it down, step by step, in the clearest, most practical way possible.
Why You Must Verify Your Business Registration
Before we go into the “how,” let’s address the big question: Why is verification necessary?
Here are the major reasons:
1. There Are Many Fake Agents Everywhere
Some people now print CAC certificates the same way cybercafés print passport photographs.
2. Fake Registration Means Zero Legal Protection
If your business is not truly registered with CAC:
* You cannot sue under that name
* You cannot open a corporate bank account
* You cannot apply for grants, loans, or contracts
* You cannot legally operate as a company
3. Investors, Banks, and Partners Now Verify Aggressively
The days of accepting documents at face value are gone. Everyone checks.
4. Fraudulent RC Numbers Are Becoming More Common
Scammers now edit real RC numbers and assign them to fake entities.
So yes—verifying is not paranoia.
It is wisdom.
How to Verify If Your Business Registration Is Authentic (Step-by-Step)
Here is the complete, no-shortcuts guide:
1. Use the CAC Public Search Portal
This is the easiest and most accurate method.
How to Use It:
* Visit the CAC Public Search Portal
* Enter your Business Name, RC Number, or BN Number
* Click Search
If your business is real, it will appear instantly with:
* Correct name
* RC/BN number
* Registration status
* Business type
If Nothing Shows Up?
Your registration is FAKE.
Plain and simple.
2. Check for a Valid CAC Certificate QR Code
All modern CAC certificates come with:
* A QR code
* A serial number
* A unique stamp
How to Verify:
* Scan the QR code with your phone
* It should take you to the CAC verification page
* The business details must match your registration
If the QR code leads nowhere or lands on a blank page, you have a cloned certificate.
3. Verify Through the CAC Status Report
Your agent or lawyer should be able to provide a CAC Status Report—not just the certificate.
A status report carries:
* Business name
* Registration type
* Incorporation date
* Proprietors/Directors
* Registered office address
* Filing history
Fake registrations can never produce this.
4. Cross-Check the Details With Your Bank
Banks run their own independent verification with CAC.
If your business registration is fake, opening a corporate account will expose it immediately.
The system will reject your RC number automatically.
Banks don’t negotiate this.
5. Ask CAC Directly (Physical Verification)
If you still have doubts, visit any CAC office near you.
Go with:
* RC/BN number
* A copy of your certificate
* Your name or business name
Staff will check your details in seconds.
6. Check Your Incorporation Documents Carefully
Fraudulent certificates often have:
* Misspelled names
* Wrong logos
* Incorrect seal colors
* No QR code
* No registration stamp
* Blurry fonts
Compare yours with samples from CAC’s official website.
Warning Signs Your Registration May Be Fake
If any of these sound familiar, take action NOW:
You never got a login to your CAC account
Your agent refused to give you incorporation documents
The RC number on your certificate looks too short or too long
Your name doesn’t appear on the CAC search portal
Your bank keeps rejecting your business documents
The QR code on your certificate doesn’t scan
If two or more of these are present, there’s a high chance your registration is fake.
How to Fix a Fake or Compromised Registration
If you discover your registration is not genuine, don’t panic.
You can still fix it legally.
What to Do:
* Report the issue to CAC immediately
* Request a fresh registration
* If possible, obtain an affidavit detailing the situation
* Avoid the agent who scammed you
* Never reuse the fake documents
You’re better off starting clean than building a business on fraud.
Our Point Exactly
In a country where scammers now operate like legitimate entities, you cannot take chances with your business identity.
Also Read: Beware: CAC Lists 15 Unregistered Entities Defrauding Nigerians
Before you print business cards, loud your brand, or apply for a grant, VERIFY your CAC registration.
Because at the end of the day, one simple check can save you:
* stress
* money
* embarrassment
* and even legal trouble
Your business deserves to stand on solid ground—not on forged certificates and fake RC numbers.
Stay sharp.
Stay secure.
Verify everything.
