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Foreign-owned company setup

Set up a Nigerian subsidiary for a foreign company or foreign investors.

  • Filed with CAC and NIPC
  • Usually 3 to 6 weeks

Foreign-owned companies follow the same incorporation route, with extra steps: NIPC registration, a minimum share capital for foreign participation, and often a business permit and expatriate quota. We plan the full sequence with you before filing.

What you receive

  • Certificate of incorporation
  • NIPC registration certificate
  • Plan for business permit and expatriate quota

What we need from you

  • Parent company documents, if a company is the shareholder
  • Details and passports of directors and shareholders
  • Nigerian address
  • Planned share capital

What happens after you apply

  1. 1 We review your details A lawyer checks everything and asks if anything is missing.
  2. 2 You approve a quote Our fee and the agency fees, shown separately. Work starts once you approve.
  3. 3 We file with CAC and NIPC We prepare the documents and submit them, then follow up.
  4. 4 You receive the documents Everything is added to your account, and we email you when it is ready.

What usually slows things down

Most delays are avoidable. Getting these right first saves weeks.

  • Proposed names that are too close to an existing business, so CAC rejects them
  • IDs that are expired, unclear or show a different name from the application
  • Signed forms sent back late after we ask for them
  • Slow CAC approval queues, which we follow up for you

Questions people ask

Can I register a company on my own?

Yes. Since CAMA 2020, a private company can have a single director who is also its only shareholder. You still need a valid ID and an address in Nigeria for the registered office.

What happens if CAC rejects my proposed name?

That is why we ask for two names. CAC rejects names that are too close to an existing business or that use restricted words without approval. If both are rejected, we suggest alternatives and agree one with you before filing again.

Do I need a physical office?

You need an address in Nigeria where official letters can reach the business. It can be a shared office and, for many small businesses, a home address. Tell us in the application and we will confirm it works.

Foreign-owned company setup Quoted after review

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