The decision was reached during a meeting of the Council chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima in Abuja on Monday, according to a statement issued by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications.

Under the framework, the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation will serve as the Council’s secretariat and coordinate implementation, technical execution and collaboration among participating agencies.

Shettima said the initiative aligns with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and is designed to create an addressing system capable of supporting economic activity, public service delivery, security and national planning.

“Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, our duty is to build institutions that match the energy and mobility of our people. We must build a system that can locate every community, support enterprise without barriers and strengthen government without compromising privacy,” he said.

“Wherever a citizen lives, wherever a business operates, wherever help is required, Nigeria should find the address.”

The Vice President described an effective addressing system as an important link between citizens, businesses and government institutions, noting that difficulties in accurately locating people and businesses affect planning, commerce, security and social intervention programmes.

He said the proposed digital framework must also integrate with identity management systems, government databases and other digital public infrastructure.

“When a verified identity can be linked securely to a verified address, the gains extend across financial inclusion, social interventions, logistics, planning and emergency response,” Shettima said.

Under the proposed arrangement, the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation will coordinate technical execution, interoperability standards and systems integration.

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) will oversee identity verification and authentication, while the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) will support business address verification.

The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) will be responsible for postcode administration and postal infrastructure.

State governments and local government councils, working through the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), will support implementation at the community level.

Other agencies expected to participate include the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and private-sector operators.

Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said the initiative could also improve investor confidence by strengthening address verification and location-based services across Nigeria.

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The directive was disclosed in a joint statement issued by the NCC and CAC on Sunday.

Under the new requirement, telecom operators seeking to register significant changes in ownership structure with the CAC must first obtain a Letter of No Objection from the NCC.

The agencies said the measure takes immediate effect and applies both to single transactions involving at least 10 per cent of a company’s shareholding and to multiple transactions that collectively exceed the threshold.

According to the statement, the policy is aimed at strengthening regulatory oversight, promoting transparency, and preventing anti-competitive practices within Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.

The NCC and CAC noted that the requirement is backed by provisions of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, the Competition Practices Regulations 2007, and the Licensing Regulations 2019, which empower the NCC to review transactions involving licensed operators.

The agencies said the new framework would enhance supervision of significant ownership changes that could affect market competition and industry stability.

They added that the policy would improve regulatory certainty, boost investor confidence, and support the long-term sustainability of Nigeria’s communications industry.

The NCC and CAC reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining a transparent and competitive business environment while ensuring orderly growth within the telecommunications sector.

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The Corporate Affairs Commission has launched a direct payment feature on its portal, enabling customers to pay for selected services through ReVOps on its Intelligent Company Registration Portal (iCRP).

The Commission disclosed the development in a statement shared on its official X handle on Wednesday, describing the move as part of efforts to improve service delivery and simplify registration processes for users.

Before the introduction of the new system, payments on the portal were processed through the Remita gateway, which supported transactions via debit cards, bank transfers, and bank branch payments.

According to the Commission, the newly introduced payment option will allow customers to complete transactions directly on the portal for several services.

“The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) wishes to notify its esteemed customers that payments for the following filings can now be conveniently made directly on our portal via ReVOps on the Intelligent Company Registration Portal (iCRP),” the statement read.

Services currently covered under the direct payment system include Annual Returns Filing, Change of Business Address, Cessation of Business, Change of Name, and Change of Objects.

The Commission also listed other services eligible for the payment option, including Change of Proprietor or Partner details, Certified True Copies, status reports, and Letters of Good Standing.

The initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s ongoing drive to digitise public finance systems and strengthen revenue collection through technology-enabled solutions.

The Revenue Optimization and Assurance Project (REV-OP), introduced last year, was designed to enhance public financial management by improving transparency, reducing revenue leakages, and promoting operational efficiency across government agencies.

Built around the pillars of transparency, efficiency, and digital transformation, the initiative supports real-time monitoring and data-driven decision-making in government revenue administration.

The latest update comes weeks after the CAC carried out maintenance on its online systems following a cybersecurity breach involving unauthorised access to parts of its infrastructure.

The Commission temporarily shut down its portal from April 17 to April 20, 2026, amid concerns over the safety and integrity of corporate data.

Industry observers say the introduction of direct payment on the iCRP is expected to improve user experience while reinforcing ongoing efforts to strengthen the efficiency and security of the Commission’s digital systems.

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The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) have initiated coordinated measures to strengthen cybersecurity following recent concerns affecting aspects of CAC’s digital systems.

Both agencies said they have activated response and assurance mechanisms in line with national cybersecurity frameworks to safeguard critical infrastructure and maintain service integrity.

NITDA, in a statement, by its spokesperson, Mrs Hadiza Umar reiterated that all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) must adopt proactive cybersecurity measures in compliance with the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy (NCPS) 2021.

The agency directed MDAs to immediately review and reinforce their cybersecurity architecture to address emerging threats targeting government systems and sensitive data.

As part of the directive, MDAs are required to conduct comprehensive security assessments, remediate identified vulnerabilities, and strengthen access controls across critical platforms.

They are also expected to enhance data protection mechanisms, maintain effective backup and disaster recovery systems, and improve monitoring capabilities to detect and respond to suspicious activities.

In addition, NITDA emphasised the need for functional incident response frameworks, including prompt reporting of cybersecurity breaches for coordinated intervention.

The agency noted that detailed cybersecurity guidelines have already been issued to MDAs for implementation as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen resilience across public sector digital infrastructure.

According to the statement, the measures are aimed at improving the overall security posture of government institutions and ensuring the continued protection of national digital assets.

NITDA reaffirmed its commitment to supporting government agencies in safeguarding digital systems and advancing cybersecurity best practices across the public sector.

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The commission disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, noting that the breach affected limited aspects of its systems and is currently under review.

“The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) is currently reviewing a cybersecurity incident involving unauthorised access to limited aspects of its information systems,” the agency stated.

The incident has raised concerns about the security of Nigeria’s corporate registry, which houses critical data on registered businesses and organisations across the country.

The CAC said it is working with the National Information Technology Development Agency and other relevant agencies to determine the scope and impact of the breach.

While details of the attack remain unclear, the commission acknowledged that unauthorised actors gained access to parts of its systems, prompting an ongoing investigation.

Stakeholders have been advised to remain vigilant as the review continues, particularly against any suspicious communications that may arise in the aftermath of the breach.

The CAC said it would provide further updates as more information becomes available.

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Speaking at the anniversary celebration held at the Ladi Kwali Hall of the Abuja Continental Hotel, NITDA Director-General Kashifu Inuwa said the agency would work closely with CAC to integrate artificial intelligence into its core operations, describing AI as essential to modern public-sector transformation.

Inuwa commended the Commission for what he described as sustained growth and institutional resilience, noting that many organisations struggle to maintain momentum after early success.

He said CAC’s leadership had prioritised digital transformation early on, particularly under the current Registrar-General, and stressed that basic digitisation was no longer sufficient in today’s operating environment.

According to him, meaningful transformation now requires the adoption of artificial intelligence to improve efficiency, service delivery and security.

Inuwa said NITDA would support CAC in embedding AI across its processes to simplify company registration, improve business management services and strengthen cybersecurity.

He added that the deployment of advanced AI tools would help the Commission detect and prevent fraud, curb unauthorised alterations of company records and protect its systems from cyber threats, while ensuring the technology is deployed responsibly.

“At NITDA, we will ensure that AI adoption is ethical and responsible, with the appropriate safeguards in place,” he said.

The NITDA chief described CAC’s digital reforms as significant, noting that company registration timelines have been reduced from several months to as little as 24 hours. He said further AI integration could improve name search and reservation, automate filings, strengthen corporate governance and reduce fraud.

Inuwa also disclosed that NITDA is supporting CAC by reviewing its digital and AI transformation roadmaps and providing guidelines, standards, training and safeguards to ensure secure and people-centred digital services.

He congratulated CAC management and staff on the milestone and expressed confidence that continued collaboration between both agencies would strengthen Nigeria’s digital business environment.

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The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) have flagged off a nationwide initiative to provide free business registration for 250,000 nano, micro, and small enterprises across the country.

The programme was unveiled in Abuja on Friday during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two agencies. According to a joint statement, the initiative is part of activities marking the second year in office of CAC Registrar-General Hussaini Magaji and SMEDAN Director-General Charles Odii, who were both appointed in October 2023.

For years, many small businesses have struggled with the cost and bureaucracy of formalisation, leaving millions in the informal sector and unable to access finance, markets, or government support. The new CAC–SMEDAN scheme seeks to break this barrier by fully covering registration costs while linking beneficiaries to SMEDAN’s MSME database.

Through the database, registered businesses will enjoy access to aftercare support, including grants, training, technical assistance, and market linkages.

Speaking at the event, Magaji said the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms designed to expand opportunities for entrepreneurs nationwide. He disclosed that the Commission was foregoing about N3 billion in registration fees to make the scheme possible.

“This drive is about breaking down barriers that keep too many of our small businesses informal. By removing the cost of business name registration for 250,000 businesses, we are helping more entrepreneurs take the first step towards growth, legitimacy, and access to bigger opportunities,” Magaji stated.

On his part, SMEDAN boss Odii stressed that the drive would help reduce illegal businesses and the collapse rate of SMEs. He noted that formalisation is the gateway to accessing government support and urged entrepreneurs to register on the agency’s portal at portal.smedan.gov.ng.

“Every MSME in our database without CAC registration will be offered this free registration initiative. For those who are not digital natives, our state offices nationwide and business clinics will provide support,” he said.

Odii further explained that recent tax reforms—set to take effect in 2026—would raise the exemption threshold, easing concerns that registration automatically leads to taxation. He also clarified that the upcoming CAC fee review would not affect the 250,000 free registrations.

Both officials commended President Tinubu for his commitment to MSME growth, noting that the initiative reflects his Renewed Hope agenda of creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurship.

How to Apply:

1. Visit portal.smedan.gov.ng and complete the registration form.
2. MSMEs already on SMEDAN’s database without CAC registration automatically qualify.
3. Once registered, beneficiaries will be contacted with next steps for CAC certification.

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Registrar-General Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, SAN, disclosed this in Kano on Monday during a stakeholders’ forum. He said the AI system will also handle compliance, registry, and customer service functions with greater speed and accuracy.

Magaji acknowledged that the rollout of the Commission’s AI-driven registration portal in June has been marred by delays and glitches, with users reporting challenges ranging from failed payments to difficulties submitting documents. These issues led to the backlog the CAC is now trying to resolve.

According to the Commission, the new AI tool will also be used to manage more than 3,000 daily customer emails by detecting duplicate requests, reading inquiries within a minute, and rerouting them to the right departments for faster responses.

Despite the setbacks, CAC maintains that its AI portal has processed more than 11,000 transactions daily since launch, calling it a significant leap in automation. Magaji assured stakeholders that “problems have been identified, and solutions are already in motion” as the agency works to stabilise the system.

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In a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account on Friday, the Commission said the issue arose after the deployment of a new and more advanced portal, which is currently ahead of the technology used by collaborating agencies responsible for processing Stamp Duties.

“We are aware of the difficulties some of our valued customers are facing in making Stamp Duties payments through our portal. Please be assured that this matter is receiving the urgent attention of engineers from both agencies involved, and a permanent solution is almost in place,” the CAC stated.

It added that engineers from both sides are working together to address the technical misalignment, with a permanent fix said to be close to completion.

The Commission also announced that it will soon launch a simplified, AI-driven post-incorporation filing system for Business Names, beginning with the Annual Returns feature, which is expected to go live over the weekend.

The post CAC Blames Stamp Duties Glitch on Portal Mismatch appeared first on Tech Digest News.

In a statement released this week, the Commission said it had observed that certain users were trying to circumvent the platform’s automated word and phrase selection tools, which are designed to ensure accuracy and compliance during the company registration process.

Developed as an AI-driven system, the ICRP was introduced to make business registration faster, smarter, and more transparent. The platform leverages artificial intelligence to learn from user interactions, continually refining its performance and making the process more user-friendly.

CAC reiterated its commitment to improving the portal based on genuine user feedback, stressing that constructive input is crucial to its ongoing development. The Commission also urged the public not to be misled by those attempting to manipulate the system for personal gain.

“This portal represents a significant step towards a more transparent and efficient corporate governance framework in Nigeria. We call on all stakeholders to support its use responsibly,” the statement read.

The CAC assured Nigerians that it remains focused on building a robust digital ecosystem for company registration—one that encourages compliance, boosts investor confidence, and aligns with the federal government’s broader digital transformation agenda.

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