If you wish to carry on any business in Nigeria in a name other than your personal name, and even if in your personal name but as a legal entity, it is required that you register such entity so as to enjoy the protection of the law. The same thing applies to non-profit-making organisations such as Associations, Clubs, Political Parties, Churches, Co-operative Societies, etc. Various laws regulate the establishment of these entities.
The Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020 (CAMA), and Company Regulations 2021 regulate the affairs of business establishments and non-profit entities, except for Co-operative Society which is regulated under various State laws in Nigeria. Under CAMA, you can register your business as Business Name which may be a Sole Proprietorship or Partnership; or, as a Limited Partnership; or, a Limited Liability Partnership; or, even as a Company which may be private or public, limited or unlimited as the purpose may determine. With respect to non-profit organisations as exampled above, they are registrable as Incorporated Trustees.
We shall now look into the legal status and registration requirements of each of these entities in more elaborate and comprehensive details. You can click on any of the under-listed to read more.