Costs And Requirements For NGO/Association Registration In Nigeria.

Are you passionate about making a difference in your community? Establishing an NGO, Association or Charity Foundation can be a powerful way to drive positive change.

However, navigating the registration process in Nigeria requires careful consideration of costs, requirements, and procedures.

With over 15 years of expertise in regulatory compliance, we present a comprehensive guide to help you successfully register your association as an incorporated trustee.

Understanding the Costs of registration of NGO’s, Association’s or Foundation’s as an Incorporated Trustees.

Let us delve into the breakdown of expenses associated with registering an NGO/Charity Foundation.

This covers both Pre/Post Registration costs:

1. Reservation of Name: Kickstart your journey by reserving the name of your association. The fee for name reservation is N 5,000 and that is minus additional remita charges.

2. Registration and CTC of Registration Documents: To formalise your association’s legal status, you will need to register as an incorporated trustee. This process, includes obtaining a certificate of registration and certified true copies of registration documents, which incurs a fee of N 35,000.

3. Change of Name: Should you need to adjust your association’s name post-registration, a fee of N 25,000 applies for this service.

4. Annual Returns and Other Post-Incorporation Filings: Ensure ongoing compliance with regulatory requirements by filing annual returns and miscellaneous post-incorporation documents. Each filing carries a fee of N 10,000.

5. Status Report/Letter of Good Standing: Obtain official documentation certifying your association’s standing with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for N 5,000.

6. Historical Search Report: Gain insights into past transactions or records with a historical search report, available for N 10,000.

7. Same Day Post-Incorporation Filing: Expedite your filing process with same-day services, available for an additional fee of N 25,000, on top of regular filing fees.

8. Restriction of Trustee’s Residential Address: Safeguard the privacy of trustees’ residential addresses by restricting disclosure, with a fee of N 25,000.

9. Certified True Copy of Document/Extract: Ensure legal compliance and authenticity with certified true copies of documents or extracts, each costing N 5,000.

10. Notice of Dissolution: If the need arises to dissolve your association, file a notice of dissolution for N 20,000.

Professional Fees

In addition to statutory fees, consider engaging professional assistance to navigate the registration process effectively.

Professional fees typically range from N 80,000 to N 200,000 or more, depending on expertise and experience.

Requirements for registration of NGO’s, Association’s or Foundation’s as an Incorporated Trustees

To initiate the registration process, gather the following requirements:

• Evidence of Approval of Name: Obtain approval of your chosen association’s name from the CAC.

• Completed Online registration Forms: Fill out the necessary online forms provided by the CAC.

• Formal Application for Registration: Submit a formal application signed by the Chairman, Secretary, or Solicitor.

• Extracts of Minutes of General Meeting: Provide minutes of the general meeting signed by the Chairman and Secretary, appointing trustees and adopting a Special Clause in the Constitution.

• Copy of the Constitution: Prepare and submit online the association’s constitution.

• Trustees Declaration Form: Each trustee must submit a declaration form duly deposed to in the High Court or before a notary public.

• Publication of Notice of Application: Publish a notice of application for registration in two newspapers.

• Identification Documents: Provide scanned copy of the means of identification documents for each trustee.

• Address of the Association: Provide the official address of the association.

• Payment of Fees: Ensure timely payment of all required registration fees.

Procedure for Registration of NGO’s, Association’s or Foundation’s as Incorporated Trustees with the CAC.

• Name Reservation: Start by checking the availability of your chosen name and reserve it through the CAC’s online portal.

• Online Form Submission: Complete the online registration forms accurately, providing all required information as stated under the requirements section.

• Document upload on the Portal: Compile and submit all necessary documents, including forms, minutes of meetings, Signatures and identification documents online.

• Payment of Fees: Pay the required registration fees through the designated payment channels, ensuring proof of payment.

• Await Confirmation: After submission, await confirmation of your application’s status from the CAC on your portal showing the application is pending approval.

• Receive Certificate: Upon approval, receive your certificate of registration, Status report and Constitution affirming your association’s legal status.

Registration of NGO’s, Associations or Charitable Foundation by a Foreign Person or Entity

Foreign individuals or entities interested in establishing a charitable foundation in Nigeria must obtain a Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) beforehand.

The CERPAC card facilitates legal residency and business operations in Nigeria and is a prerequisite for foreign nationals intending to register an organisation whether or not it is for profit making purpose.

It is important to note that the cost, requirements and procedure for registration of an NGO, Association or a Charitable Foundation as stated above is still applicable to a Foreign person or entity.

Who Can Be Appointed as a Trustee?

Potential trustees include individuals of sound mind and legal age, Nigerian citizens, or foreign residents in Nigeria committed to the association’s objectives.

Conclusion

Embarking on the journey to register an NGO or Charity Foundation as an incorporated trustee in Nigeria is a significant endeavour.

By comprehensively understanding the costs, requirements, and procedures involved, you can navigate the registration process effectively and establish a legally recognised organisation dedicated to driving positive social impact.

Engaging professional assistance can streamline the process, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and setting your organisation up for success.

Summary of Pre/post registration Cost Breakdown for NGO, Association or Foundation registration as Incorporated Trustees with the CAC.