Registering "Incorporated Trustees"

While most people register Business Names or Limited Liability Companies to make a profit, non-profit organizations must be registered as **Incorporated Trustees** under Part F of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020.

This category is required for:

Churches and Mosques

NGOs and Charities

Alumni Associations

Social Clubs and Foundations

Trade Unions

Here is the step-by-step guide to registering a non-profit in Nigeria in 2026.

Step 1: Minimum Requirements

To register an NGO or Church, you cannot do it alone. You must have:

**A minimum of Two (2) Trustees:** These are the legal custodians of the organization. They must be adults of sound mind with no criminal record.

**A Chairman and a Secretary:** Appointed from among the trustees.

**A Constitution:** A legal document outlining the rules, aims, and governance of the organization.

**Minutes of Meeting:** A formal record showing when the trustees met, agreed to form the organization, and adopted the constitution.

Step 2: Name Reservation

Like any CAC registration, you must first reserve the name.

Non-profit names usually end with specific identifiers like "Foundation", "Initiative", "Ministry", "Association", or "Network".

Step 3: The Newspaper Publication (Mandatory)

This is the biggest difference between a standard business and an NGO.

By law, before the CAC approves an Incorporated Trustee, you must publish a "Public Notice" in **three national daily newspapers** (e.g., Punch, Vanguard, Guardian).

The notice must state the name of the organization, the names of the trustees, and give the general public **28 days** to object to the registration.

Step 4: Final Submission

After the 28-day waiting period has expired without any public objections, you must submit:

Two copies of the newspaper publications

The drafted Constitution

Minutes of the meeting appointing the trustees

Passport photographs and IDs of all trustees

The final government filing fee

How Long Does It Take?

Because of the mandatory 28-day newspaper publication rule, registering an NGO or Church takes an absolute minimum of **5 to 7 weeks**. It cannot be rushed or expedited past the 28-day legal window.

The Cost

Registering an NGO is significantly more expensive than a Business Name because it requires hiring lawyers to draft the Constitution, paying for three national newspaper ads, and higher CAC filing fees.

If you are looking to set up an NGO, Church, or Foundation, **CACnigeria.ng** provides an all-inclusive package that covers the name search, constitution drafting, all three newspaper publications, and the final certificate.

[Contact our specialized NGO team today →](/contact)

How to Register an NGO, Church or Foundation with CAC in Nigeria