Tinubu okays free CAC registration for 250,000 MSMEs across states

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the free formalisation and corporate registration of 250,000 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The announcement was made on Saturday at the State House in Abuja during the 8th National MSME Awards 2026.

The initiative is aimed at eliminating the financial barriers preventing nano, micro and small businesses from joining Nigeria’s formal business sector, while integrating them into the country’s banking and regulatory systems.

Under the presidential directive, beneficiaries will receive free business name registration without paying the statutory fees usually charged by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

Beyond the registration fee waiver, the intervention package also includes technical training and mentorship support designed to improve business sustainability and enhance the long-term growth of participating enterprises.

Small business owners interested in benefiting from the programme have been advised to register through the official SMEDAN portal using #SMEDANGov to complete the required documentation and secure a place in the scheme.

The programme will be implemented through a partnership between the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

Officials involved in the initiative said the waiver represents a significant financial relief for entrepreneurs and is expected to reduce the high failure rate among small businesses by encouraging more operators to formalise their enterprises and access government support programmes.