The Federal Government has opened access to 250,000 free business name registrations for eligible entrepreneurs across Nigeria as part of efforts to support the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The initiative, approved under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is aimed at reducing the cost of formalising small businesses and encouraging more entrepreneurs to register their ventures.
Eligible entrepreneurs interested in the programme have been advised to apply through the official SMEDAN portal at portal.smedan.gov.ng.
Under the initiative, successful applicants will have their business names registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) at no cost.
The government said the programme was designed to remove some of the financial barriers preventing small business owners from formalising their operations.
Entrepreneurs have, however, been warned to remain vigilant against fraudsters seeking to take advantage of the initiative.
Applicants are advised not to pay anyone claiming to have the ability to fast-track their registration or guarantee approval, as the approved registration is completely free.
The government also urged prospective beneficiaries to use only the official SMEDAN platform and avoid making payments or providing sensitive personal information to unauthorised agents.
The initiative is expected to help more Nigerian entrepreneurs formalise their businesses, improve access to government support and create opportunities for sustainable MSME growth across the country.
