CAC at 35: Deploys AI, Partners Google to Boost Business Registration Efficiency

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) says it has intensified its digital transformation efforts with the deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to manage the growing volume of business registration requests, while also sealing a strategic collaboration with global technology firm, Google.
Registrar-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, disclosed this at the opening ceremony of CAC’s 35th anniversary celebration in Abuja. He traced the agency’s evolution from a paper-based registry to a technology-driven platform serving millions of users within and outside Nigeria.
Magaji explained that the adoption of AI became necessary as the Commission now processes nearly 10,000 registration applications daily. He attributed the surge to ongoing tax reforms, the monetisation of social media and digital enterprises, and government policies aimed at formalising the informal sector.
He added that the Commission’s complaint management system also handles about 5,000 inquiries daily through emails and call centres, noting that managing such volume manually would require an unrealistic expansion of staff.
The Registrar-General acknowledged that the transition to an AI-driven portal in 2025 caused temporary disruptions to productivity and service delivery, but commended stakeholders for their patience during the period.
He reaffirmed CAC’s commitment to global service standards, stressing that the AI deployment would improve efficiency and enhance Nigeria’s ease of doing business.
As part of its technology upgrade, the Commission also signed a Letter of Collaboration with Google, which is expected to strengthen its digital infrastructure, improve portal performance and introduce global best practices in service delivery.
CAC also unveiled a redesigned website featuring two AI-powered tools. These include an AI Lawyer that provides instant responses to questions on company laws, regulations and procedures, and an AI Name Generator that allows users to generate and reserve business names more quickly.
Reflecting on the Commission’s history, Magaji noted that CAC began operations in 1991 from a single office in Garki, Abuja, where Nigerians had to travel from across the country to complete manual registrations. He said the Commission’s services are now accessible worldwide at any time through its digital platform.
To mark its 35th anniversary, the Commission announced several corporate social responsibility initiatives, including free business name registration for 3,500 small businesses nationwide and scholarships for outstanding corporate law students in the Nigerian Law School.
The Commission also pledged support for vulnerable groups through donations to Internally Displaced Persons camps and orphanages.
Management further approved a commemorative bonus equivalent to 25 per cent of one month’s gross salary for staff, alongside special housing and car loan packages. Promotions were also recommended for pioneering and retiring staff not included in the current exercise.
Magaji described CAC’s 35-year journey as one driven by resilience and innovation, expressing confidence that the Commission would continue leveraging technology to improve transparency, efficiency and investor confidence.
Also speaking, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Nura Abba Rimi, commended the Commission’s role in strengthening Nigeria’s corporate and economic environment.
He said the shift from manual to digital registration has simplified processes, improved transparency and attracted both local and foreign investment, while urging the Commission to deepen innovation through technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain.