CAC adopts AI to fast-track company registrations

By Olakunle Oke

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has announced plans to deploy artificial intelligence (AI) to clear a backlog of more than 7,000 pending company registration applications. The move marks a major step in Nigeria’s drive to modernise its bureaucracy and improve service delivery.

Nigeria’s decision mirrors a global trend, with governments increasingly turning to AI to enhance efficiency. A 2023 study by the U.S. National Conference of State Legislatures found that 60 per cent of U.S. states have integrated AI into public service delivery.

The CAC headquarters in Abuja—now seen as a symbol of reform—has become central to this push. The initiative is significant in a country where bureaucratic bottlenecks have long hindered ease of doing business. World Bank data from 2022 shows it took an average of 10 days to register a business in Nigeria, compared with a global average of 7.5 days.

The announcement, however, comes amid growing public frustration with the commission’s operations. The CAC missed its mid-September 2025 deadline to stabilise its Company Registration Portal, raising concerns over transparency and the reliability of government digital systems.

Observers note that the AI-driven reform could restore public confidence if backed by stronger accountability measures and robust technological infrastructure.