The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has introduced new mandatory requirements for all Business Name Online Update requests, in a move aimed at strengthening verification processes and improving the accuracy of business records nationwide.

The directive, released on Wednesday through the commission’s official X account, requires applicants to provide additional personal and contact information before their update requests can be processed.

According to the CAC, every Business Name Online Update submission must now include the proprietor’s date of birth, a registered office email address, the proprietor’s personal email address, a phone number for the registered office or proprietor (where different), and a valid means of identification.

The commission stated that the revised guidelines form part of broader reforms intended to improve documentation integrity and minimise fraudulent alterations to business name records.

“Under the new guidelines, every Business Name Online Update submission must include date of birth, registered office email, proprietor’s email address, phone number for the registered office or proprietor where different, and a valid means of identification,” the CAC said.

The commission added that the additional details would ensure seamless communication with business proprietors, enable more accurate compliance checks, and strengthen its internal verification processes.

It explained that the reforms were also designed to streamline the commission’s database and support its ongoing transition towards more secure and efficient digital service delivery.

The regulatory body urged business owners to comply fully with the updated requirements to avoid delays in the processing of their applications.

According to reports the CAC, which serves as Nigeria’s statutory authority for the registration and regulation of companies, business names and incorporated trustees, has in recent years migrated from manual operations to a digital-first system.
This transition has improved accessibility and reduced bottlenecks in registration and post-registration services nationwide.