How To Start And Run A Business In Nigeria

When deciding on how to participate in the Nigerian market, you will need to choose between establishing a new company or acquiring an existing company.

DECIDE ON THE BUSINESS STRUCTURE

When deciding on how to participate in the Nigerian market, you will need to choose between establishing a new company or acquiring an existing company. If establishing a new business, a variety of business structures are available. The four main types are: sole proprietorship; partnerships; incorporated trustees; and companies. You need to decide on the company structure that will best suit your business needs. The business structure will determine the cost, tax, legal, regulatory and financial risk implications. Your situation may require advice from a Solicitor.

TYPES OF REGISTRABLE ORGANIZATIONS IN NIGERIA

Registrable business organizations in Nigeria include:

1.  A company limited by shares (Ltd or Plc)

2.  A company limited by guarantee (Ltd/Gte)

3.  An unlimited liability company (Ultd)

Any of the above companies may be a Private Company or a Public Company.

4.  Business Name (registered as Sole Proprietorship or Partnership)

5.  Incorporated Trustees (usually formed for not-for-profit or charitable purposes)

ADVANTAGES OF COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES OVER A BUSINESS NAME?

A company is its own legal entity. Its identity is separate from the shareholders, directors and employees. It has perpetual succession – meaning that the business can continue despite the resignation, bankruptcy or death of directors or shareholders. The shareholders and directors have protection of limited liability tied to their personal guarantees and/or the value of shares the hold in the company. It is relatively easy to expand or to scale-up by selling shares or offering a stake in the business to outside investors. The company can sue or be sued in its own name. A company has more credibility. It is easier to raise large sums of money for the business or sell a part of the business. It can take advantage of the investment incentives, pioneer status and tax exemption offered by government.

RESERVE A NAME

You can only use a name that is not identical to an existing registered organization in Nigeria. A name availability search must be conducted at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registry to see if the name is available for use. Where it is available, same will be approved for registration. Name availability check and reservation can be effected within 24 hours.

REGISTER THE APPROVED NAME

Businesses in Nigeria must be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission either as a Business Name or as a Company. Foreign investors interested in entering the Nigerian market may wish to establish a new Nigerian company or establish a new Nigerian subsidiary which also operates as a distinct legal entity from the offshore parent company.

PREPARE AND FILE REGISTRATION AND INCORPORATION DEEDS

Companies must have a Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association (MEMART), a Solicitor can assist you draft a MEMART to suit your business objects and file a copy of same at the Corporate Affairs Commission registry; make payment of stamp duties on the incorporation deeds and conclude registration of the company as a legal entity.  Company's MEMART or Business Name's Partnership Deed will deal with ownership and management issues and contain the rules governing how the business is run. The deed will pin down the key issues and set out any restrictions on what the business can do and how decisions will be made.

COMPANY SHARE STRUCTURE

All categories of company shares (i.e. whether ordinary or preferential) issued by a company in Nigeria must carry one vote in respect of each share. Shares with weighted voting right are prohibited. A company must have at least 2 directors (non-employee shareholders). However, private companies must not have more than 50 non-employee shareholders.

APPOINT THE DIRECTORS

The directors are the shadow of a company and at the heart of corporate governance A company can have either foreign or Nigerian directors, and the directors may be resident or non-resident.

REGISTER YOUR PATENT AND TRADEMARK

Your business may have proprietary rights to certain intellectual assets. You will require the services of a Solicitor to register and protect these rights as patents, trade secrets, copyrights or trademarks and ward off infringements.

REGISTER AND OBTAIN LICENCE FROM RELEVANT REGULATORY AGENCY

Certain businesses are subject to monitoring, regulatory control and licensing by relevant government agencies such as National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigerian Investments Promotions Commission (NIPC), National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Nigerian Customs Service, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), etc. You want to obtain the necessary licence and comply with health and safety, environmental and other regulatory obligations to avoid punitive liability.

REGISTER WITH THE TAX AUTHORITIES

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and State Board Internal Revenue are responsible for the collection of corporate and personnel taxes, respectively. Every company, business name or incorporated trustee must be registered with the FIRS and obtain Tax Identification Number (TIN) and Value Added Tax (VAT) Number, and make and deliver to CAC the Annual Return in prescribed forms within stipulated time. Filling of financial returns must be done within 18 months of incorporation/registration and must be completed and filed within 42 days after the organization's Annual General Meeting. A financial year can in principle start on any given date. There is criminal liability for tax default and evasion. You may request the services of a Solicitor or accountant for information on taxation.

FIND A BUSINESS OR OFFICE LOCATION

If you are looking to acquire or lease a business or office location, a Solicitor can assist you on available options. The acquisition and development of land in Nigeria are perfected at the state or local government office where the land is situated. Approvals, assessments (including environmental and structural assessment) and other regulatory requirements may differ between state jurisdictions.

ISSUE EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS

Request the services of a Solicitor to prepare the employment contracts and work manual for your staff (or addendums for your employees outside Nigeria) and comply with the requirements under the Labour Act to avoid future legal liabilities.

PERFORM ADMINISTRATIVE OBLIGATIONS

You must submit annual accounts and tax returns to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). You must also file a statement of affairs or an annual return with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). You risk a fine if you miss deadlines or submit incorrect information. There are a number of other statutory requirements. For example, there are obligations you must fulfil under the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Labour Act, Insurance Act, Pension Reform Act etc. An accredited Solicitor can advise you and help you perfect these administrative obligations.

OPERATIONS OF FOREIGN COMPANIES IN NIGERIA

Foreign investors or offshore companies can hold 100% equity stake in a Nigerian company. However, a foreign company wishing to set up business operations in Nigeria should take all steps necessary to obtain incorporation of the Nigerian subsidiary as a separate entity in Nigeria for that purpose. Until so incorporated, the foreign company may not carry on business in Nigeria or exercise any of the powers of a registered company. Through a Power of Attorney, our Law Office (Lex Artifex, LLP.) can assist a foreign company in the formation and incorporation of a Nigerian affiliate or subsidiary.

OBTAIN A BUSINESS PERMIT AND EXPATRIATE QUOTA

Lex Artifex, LLP. can assist overseas investors and foreign companies to obtain Business Permit and Expatriate Quota from the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) and the Nigerian Immigration Service, respectively. Expatriate personnel do not require work permits, but they remain subject to needs quota of their employer company requiring them to obtain residence permits that would allow income remittances abroad.

Business permit is the authorization for the operation of a business with foreign capital either as a parent company or a subsidiary of a foreign company. Expatriate quota is the authorization to a company to employ individual expatriates to specifically approved job designations, and also specifying the permissible duration of such employment. The expatriate quota forms the basis of work permits for expatriate individuals (those qualifications must fulfill the criteria established for the particular quota position).

ACQUIRING A NIGERIAN COMPANY

An alternative to establishing a new or subsidiary company may be to acquire an existing Nigerian company. Merger and Acquisition processes in Nigeria are regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Investors interested in acquiring a Nigerian company may have to make a formal bid. A bid to acquire a Nigerian Company is subject to approval by SEC and sanctioning by the Federal High Court.

LISTING ON THE NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE (NSE)

Nigeria has a stock market, allowing access to long-term capital. To obtain and maintain an NSE listing, your company will need to meet the prescribed requirements set out in the stock exchange listing rules. This includes company disclosure and reporting requirements.

DOING BUSINESS IN NIGERIA

The Nigerian government welcomes local and foreign direct investment or foreign portfolio investment. Foreign investors are treated the same as local investors under Nigeria's laws.