CAC vs SCUML vs Trademark - What's the Difference (and Which Do You Need First)?

If you've ever thought 'I already have my CAC, why do I still need SCUML and a trademark?' - this lesson is for you. They are three separate things, issued by three separate bodies, that solve three completely different problems.

CAC - makes your business legal

• Issued by: Corporate Affairs Commission
• Purpose: gives your business legal existence (Business Name, LTD, NGO)
• Without it: you can't open a corporate bank account or sign formal contracts
• Cost: name reservation from ₦1,000 + filing from ₦37,000 with AMG
• Timeline: 1–7 working days (Business Name / LTD)

SCUML - proves you're not laundering money

• Issued by: EFCC (Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering)
• Purpose: anti-money-laundering certificate for DNFBP sectors
• Without it: most banks block your corporate account in regulated sectors (NGO, real estate, consulting, hotels, jewellery, car dealers, etc.)
• Cost: modest government fee - confirm current with AMG
• Timeline: 1–3 weeks

Trademark - protects your brand name & logo

• Issued by: Nigerian IPO Trademark Registry (and WIPO / USPTO for global)
• Purpose: stops competitors from legally using your brand name, logo or slogan
• Without it: anyone can register your brand tomorrow - CAC name does NOT protect your brand
• Cost: from around ₦40,000 per class upward in Nigeria (confirm current)
• Timeline: acknowledgement in 2–4 weeks; full certificate 12–18 months

Order to do them

• 1. CAC first - nothing works without it
• 2. TIN (auto-generated with CAC in 2026)
• 3. SCUML - only if your sector requires it (most service businesses do)
• 4. Trademark - file as soon as your brand has momentum, before competitors notice

Not sure which apply to YOUR business? Send your sector to an AMG agent on WhatsApp - we'll tell you in 5 minutes what you actually need.