How to Register a Church or an NGO in Nigeria: A Guide to Incorporated Trustees

By Alexander Odidi, Esq. A

        Image Source: Daniel Tseng on Unsplash

Setting up a non-governmental organisation (NGO) or nonprofit like a Church or charity in Nigeria requires registration as an Incorporated Trustee with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). Unlike registering a company limited by shares, this process is built around trustees, a governing constitution, and demonstrable public accountability. Here is what the process actually involves.

Step One: Choosing a Name and Defining Your Purpose

Every application begins with three proposed names for the organisation, submitted in order of preference in case your first choice is unavailable. Alongside this, you will need to state the principal nature of the nonprofit's activities, which is essentially the main reason for incorporation. Also, you must have a clear description of what the organisation intends to achieve. This forms the foundation the CAC uses to assess and approve your application.

Step Two: Applying for Consent

Once your name and purpose are settled, the next stage is the Application for Consent, which is the most document-heavy part of the process. You will need to prepare a constitution for the organisation, setting out its rules of operation. This includes deciding on the number of trustees, which must be between two and fifteen, and their tenure, ranging anywhere from one year to a lifetime appointment.

You will also need to designate a custodian of the common seal, typically the secretary, and establish a governing body, or Board of Trustees. Under CAMA 2020, this body is appointed at a general meeting by a two-thirds majority vote of members present, and usually comprises trustees, a secretary, and a treasurer.

Other key elements at this stage include:

  • Application of funds or a clear explanation of how donated or contributed money will be used. 

  • Account keeping: a corporate account must be maintained for the church or NGO

  • Aims and objectives:  you may list as many as you like, provided they are all relevant to the organisation's purpose. 

  • For every trustee, chairman, secretary, and treasurer, you must also provide detailed personal information: full name, date of birth, residential address (state, LGA, city, street, and building number), gender, nationality, occupation, phone number, email, a valid ID (NIN, international passport, or voter's card), and their specific position within the organisation. If the NGO has any international affiliation, supporting documentation for that relationship must also be included.

  • Applications also require a witness who can attest to the process, and who provides their full name, occupation, email, phone number, and a signature on a plain sheet of paper, submitted as a photograph.

        Image Source

Step Three: Consent Granted

Once consent is granted, several further requirements follow before registration is finalised. A newspaper publication announcing the intended registration must run in one local and one national daily newspaper, and must remain in the public domain for 28 days. You will also need to submit a Declaration of Trustees form and minutes of meetings already held by the organisation.

The constitution must specify quorum requirements like the minimum number of trustees needed for a meeting to proceed, as well as a meeting schedule (monthly, quarterly, or yearly), with provisions for emergency meetings where necessary. You will also need to explain your source of income, essentially how the organisation intends to raise funds going forward, and confirm the arrangements for keeping accounts, typically overseen by the treasurer through a dedicated bank account.

Timeline and a Practical Tips

The full registration process typically takes around four to six weeks from start to finish. However, different factors could extend the time frame. 

One useful piece of advice: once your NGO is registered, it is worth completing SCUML (Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering) registration promptly afterwards. This step is often required by banks before they will process a corporate account for the organisation, so tackling it early can save considerable delay.

Final Thoughts

Registering an NGO in Nigeria is thorough by design. The CAC's requirements are meant to ensure transparency and proper governance from the outset. Gathering your trustees' documentation, drafting a solid constitution, and understanding the publication requirements in advance will make the six-week process considerably smoother.


Alexander Odidi, Esq. writes on Business Registration and Corporate Compliance. 



Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Readers should confirm current requirements with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) or consult a qualified professional before proceeding with registration. LegalBizPro is not a part of, or an affiliate of CAC.

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