The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has launched its Artificial Intelligence-powered Companies Registration Portal (ICRP), targeting business registration completion in under 10 minutes.
Registrar-General and Chief Executive Officer, Hussaini Ishaq Magaji (SAN), made the announcement during the 2025 CAC Management Retreat in Kaduna, coinciding with his second anniversary in office.
Magaji described the platform, launched on June 30, 2025, as a revolutionary step in Nigeria’s corporate registry reforms. The portal enables users to reserve names, register businesses, and instantly obtain certificates without manual intervention.
He explained that the innovation followed years of technical setbacks that had hampered operations. “When I assumed office in 2023, the system was overstretched and unstable. We had to replace the damaged engine of an aircraft mid-air,” Magaji said.
He commended the Commission’s technology partner, Oasis, for its role in delivering the new system. He added that the next phase of development would introduce CAC-branded AI tools for compliance monitoring and customer service automation.
Magaji said the Commission drew inspiration from the United Kingdom’s Companies House model, emphasizing that AI will complement rather than replace human judgment. “AI enhances productivity and transparency — it is a partner, not a rival,” he stated.
The Registrar-General highlighted improvements under his Four-Point Agenda, including staff welfare, capacity building, institutional strengthening, and revenue growth. He noted that salary harmonization, pension settlements, and over 700 training sessions had already been completed.
He stressed that AI integration had eliminated human delays and influence in processing applications. “Every action is logged; even the Registrar-General cannot override the system. This is how we build public trust,” he said.
Magaji urged CAC staff to uphold integrity as the Commission transitions from a digital to an intelligent registry. “AI can detect anomalies, but only human values ensure fairness,” he added.
