Tinubu Approves Free Registration for 250,000 MSMEs

President Bola Tinubu has approved free corporate registration for 250,000 micro, small and medium enterprises, MSMEs, across Nigeria. 

The announcement was made Saturday at the State House during the 8th National MSME Awards 2026.

The presidency said the policy is intended to ease financial pressure on nano, micro and small-scale entrepreneurs and bring them into Nigeria’s formal banking and regulatory system.

Under the plan, beneficiaries will receive full business name registration at no cost. The Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, will waive its standard statutory fees, the presidency said.

The federal intervention also includes technical training for beneficiaries and “moral support for business owners” to improve long-term survival rates, it added.

Interested small business owners can apply through the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, SMEDAN, portal using the handle #SMEDANGov to complete documentation and secure a slot, the presidency said.

“The implementation of this policy is driven through a strategic partnership involving the CAC and SMEDAN,” the presidency said. 

“Top officials within the regulatory agencies noted that the waiver represents a significant financial concession aimed entirely at driving down the high mortality rate of small businesses nationwide.”