The Corporate Affairs Commission has approved free business name registration for 3,500 small businesses across the 36 states and Abuja.

The registrar-general, Hussaini Magaji, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja during CAC’s 35th anniversary celebration.

Mr Magaji said the initiative underscored the CAC’s commitment to entrepreneurship, reduced business costs and inclusive economic growth.

According to him, the programme aims to encourage the formalisation of small enterprises and broaden access to government services and economic opportunities.

“Distinguished guests, the CAC journey at 35 is a story of vision, courage, innovation and unwavering commitment to national development,” he said.

He explained that the CAC had evolved into a technology-driven institution focused on efficiency, transparency and global best practices.

Mr Magaji said the CAC also approved scholarships for six outstanding corporate law students from the Nigerian Law School for the 2026 academic year.

He added that CAC would donate 120 mattresses to an Internally Displaced Persons camp and support orphanages as part of its social responsibility.

The registrar-general disclosed that the CAC would sign a collaboration letter with Google to strengthen its technology framework and service delivery.

According to him, the partnership will improve portal performance and further ease doing business in Nigeria.

Mr Magaji also announced the launch of a redesigned website featuring new digital tools, including an AI Lawyer and a business name generator.

He said the AI Lawyer would provide instant guidance on CAC laws and procedures, while the generator would ease the reservation of scalable business names.

Mr Magaji thanked stakeholders for their support, noting that the anniversary signalled renewed commitment to innovation and national development.

(NAN)