Nigeria 2025: Essential Government Sites and Practical Steps for Overseas Companies

For foreign companies planning to operate in Nigeria, knowing the right government agencies, current policy trends, and practical execution steps is essential. Below is a consolidated list of official websites for company registration, tax, labor, immigration and trade, plus 2025 policy highlights, step-by-step onboarding procedures, practical precautions , and illustrative cases.

Official portals and what they cover

Key policy themes to monitor in 2025

• Digital tax administration and e-filing: authorities continue to expand electronic tax reporting and scrutiny. Ensure you are prepared for portal-based filing and electronic correspondence.
• Transfer pricing & BEPS alignment: expect stronger documentation requirements for related-party transactions and cross-border services.
• Foreign exchange and repatriation rules: CBN guidance can affect timing and method for profit repatriation; maintain clear FX records.
• Labor and immigration adjustments: periodic updates to expatriate quota rules and work-permit processing times. Localization incentives may be emphasized.
• Trade compliance and standards enforcement: SON and NAFDAC inspections remain active; pre-clearance documentation reduces delays.

Step-by-step: Setting up and operating in Nigeria (practical workflow)

1. Pre-entry planning

1. Choose entity type (limited liability company is common for foreign investors).
2. Check name availability on CAC and reserve name online.
3. Review sector-specific licenses (e.g., NAFDAC for consumables, CBN approval for financial activities).

2. Company incorporation

1. Prepare Memorandum & Articles, statement of share capital and particulars of directors.
2. Register with CAC online: submit forms, pay fees, and obtain Certificate of Incorporation and RC Number.
3. Open a corporate bank account—banks request CAC documents, board resolution and IDs.

3. Tax & regulatory registrations

1. Apply for TIN at FIRS for the company and for authorized signatories.
2. Register for VAT and obtain relevant tax accounts; if hiring, register for PAYE with state authorities.
3. Register employees with PenCom and enroll for statutory contributions (Pension, ITF, where applicable).

4. Immigration & hiring expatriates

1. Submit expatriate quota application and justify local skills gap via NIPC or Labour/Immigration guidance.
2. Apply for subject-to-regularization visas or business entry visas, then convert to work permit locally where required.
3. Comply with labor laws: written contracts, statutory benefits, and required reporting.

5. Ongoing compliance

1. File annual returns with CAC and financial statements where required.
2. Submit periodic tax returns: CIT, VAT, withholding taxes and remit on time to avoid penalties.
3. Maintain transfer pricing documentation and keep customs, standards and product registrations current.

Notes (Practical precautions and compliance tips)

• Verify all requirements on the official portals above before submitting forms—procedures and fees can change.
• Maintain a Nigerian-based authorized signatory and local contact for service-of-process and regulatory correspondence.
• Be precise on employment classifications to avoid retroactive liabilities for mischaracterized contractors vs employees.
• Document intercompany transactions and contracts to support transfer pricing positions and VAT treatment.
• For importers, secure SONCAP and NAFDAC pre-approvals to prevent detention at ports.
• Use escrow or well-documented FX channels for repatriation; keep copies of CBN-related filings.
• Engage Nigerian counsel and a local tax adviser—cases show foreign firms that rely solely on remote advice often miss state-level PAYE and levy nuances.

Representative cases

Case A — SaaS company entering Nigeria

A European SaaS provider incorporated a Nigerian subsidiary to sign local contracts. Steps taken: CAC registration, FIRS TIN, VAT registration, opening a local bank account, and a limited number of expatriate engineers on subject-to-regularization visas. Key lessons: local contracting and VAT on digital services require careful invoicing; register for VAT even if customers are companies to avoid disputes.

Case B — Manufacturing firm importing machinery

An Asian manufacturer imported production equipment and raw materials. They secured import permits, paid import duties through Nigeria Customs Service, obtained SON conformity certificates and registered regulated products with NAFDAC. Result: streamlined customs clearance and faster start-up after pre-approvals.

SailGlobal — support for your overseas staffing needs

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Final checklist before you go live

• Confirm CAC incorporation, FIRS TIN and VAT registration are active.
• Verify bank account functionality and CBN-compliant documentation for foreign capital inflows.
• Ensure employee onboarding is compliant: PAYE, PenCom, and statutory contributions are set up.
• Keep digital copies of all licenses and monitor the official portals above for updates.

Always confirm current rules on the official agency websites listed in the table and consult local legal and tax advisors for binding advice. Nigeria’s regulatory environment is dynamic—staying proactive and well-documented reduces operational risk and speeds market entry.