How to Change the Name of Your Company
First it should be noted that a company is an artificial person — an entity separate from the individuals who own, manage and support its operation. A company has many of the same legal rights and responsibilities as a person: the ability to enter into contracts, the right to sue and be sued, to borrow money, pay taxes and own assets, among others.
The types of company depend on liability and membership. In terms of liability, a company may be:
- A company limited by shares
- A company limited by guarantee
- An unlimited company
Any of the above may be a private company or a public company.
When you register a company, the first thing you do is choose a name. The company name is the name registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and appearing on the Certificate of Incorporation. You decide on the name, apply to the CAC, the CAC conducts an official search, and if the name is available it is reserved for you so that registration can proceed. Note that some words are restricted and require the Commission’s specific consent — words such as “Federal,” “National,” “Government,” “Holdings,” “Group” and “Bank,” among others. That applies equally when you are changing to a new name.
This article outlines the procedure for changing a company’s name after registration has been completed. A change of name may be voluntary or compulsory.
Before you start: get your filings current
This is the step most people skip and the leading cause of rejected applications. The CAC portal checks your compliance record during the change of name process, and outstanding annual returns will stop the application in its tracks. Bring your returns up to date first. If it turns out you have years of unfiled returns, deal with that before you think about rebranding — the Commission has been actively striking non-compliant companies off the register.
Mandatory change of company name
A company may be directed by the CAC to change its name compulsorily in the following circumstances:
- Where the CAC has inadvertently allowed a company to register under a name identical to that of an existing company or business name, or one so nearly resembling it as to be likely to deceive the public. Two timings apply here, both under section 30 of CAMA 2020. The Commission’s power to issue such a direction is exercisable within six months of the company being registered under that name. Once directed, the company must change its name within six weeks of the direction, or such longer period as the Commission allows.
- Where it is later discovered that the company’s name conflicts with an existing trademark or registered business name, and the consent of the trademark owner was not previously obtained. This ground was carried over into section 30(1)(d) of CAMA 2020, and the current Act strengthened it considerably — under the old law the Commission had no real mechanism to enforce a direction if a company simply ignored it, and CAMA 2020 simplified the procedure for striking such names off the register.
- Following a successful passing off action, the court can direct the company to change its name.
The mandatory route is not only something that happens to you — it is also a remedy you can invoke. If another company registers a name confusingly similar to yours, you can write to the Commission, on your company’s letterhead or your solicitor’s, formally protesting and requesting that the later-registered company be compelled to change its name. Set out the registration history and RC numbers of both companies, explain the practical harm of allowing both names to co-exist, and expressly ask the Commission to exercise its powers. If you also hold a registered trademark, say so — that is the stronger ground.
Voluntary change of company name
A company may also elect to change its name voluntarily. The statutory basis is section 30(3) of CAMA 2020, under which a company may, by special resolution and with the approval of the Commission signified in writing, change its name.
One useful exception: no approval is required where the only change is substituting “Public Limited Company” for “Limited” or vice versa, on the conversion of a private company into a public company or the other way round. If that is all you are doing, you do not need a consent application.
The procedure is:
- Search and reserve the new name first. Check availability on the CAC public register, then reserve the name through the portal, specifying that the reservation is for a change of name rather than a new registration. Do this before anything else — there is no point passing a resolution for a name you cannot have.
- Pass a board resolution proposing the change.
- Pass a special resolution approving the change at a general meeting. For a private company this can be done by written resolution.
- File the special resolution with the CAC within 15 days.
- Make the consequential alterations to the Memorandum and Articles of Association.
- File the application on the CAC portal, through the post-incorporation Change of Name module, uploading the resolution, the amended MEMART, the existing certificate of incorporation and the supporting documents the portal requests. The whole process is now online — there are no paper forms to collect and no counter to visit.
- The CAC reviews and, if satisfied, issues a new Certificate of Incorporation in the new name. Your RC number does not change.
There is no newspaper publication requirement and no gazette advertisement for a company name change, and no public objection window. If anyone tells you otherwise, or offers to arrange a publication for you, they are describing the procedure for incorporated trustees, which is a different thing entirely.
After the change
The new certificate is not the end of it. Work through:
- Your bank. Account names, mandates and cheque books.
- Tax records. Note one piece of good news here: since 2026 a company’s RC number serves as its Tax ID, and because the RC number survives a name change, your tax identity does not change with your name. You will still need to update your registered particulars with the Nigeria Revenue Service.
- Sector licences and permits, which are usually issued in the company’s name.
- Existing contracts. The company is the same legal person and its rights and obligations are unaffected — but notify counterparties so that invoices and payments are not rejected on a name mismatch.
- Letterheads, invoices, receipts, signage, website and email. CAMA requires the company’s name to appear on its business documents, and the correct name means the current one.
- Your trademark position. If you registered a mark in the old name, or if the new name is the thing you actually want to protect, this is the moment to speak to a lawyer about a fresh trademark search and application.
There you have it — the process to change your company name with the CAC after registration.
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We hope you have found this information helpful. Please note that this information is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice. No lawyer-client relationship is formed nor should any such relationship be implied. It is not intended to substitute for the advice of a qualified lawyer. If you require legal advice, please consult with a qualified lawyer.