If a bank, government portal, corporate client, supplier, or online form asks for your company code in Nigeria, they are usually asking for a registration number that identifies your business.
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In most cases, that means your RC number if you registered a limited company with the Corporate Affairs Commission. For a business name, it may mean your BN number. For an incorporated trustee, association, church, NGO, or club, it may mean an IT number. In tax situations, the form may be asking for your TIN instead.
This guide explains what company code means in Nigeria, the difference between RC, BN, IT, TIN and SCUML-related numbers, how to find your own code, and how to verify another business before you pay, partner, or sign a contract.
What is a company code in Nigeria?
A company code in Nigeria is a number used to identify a registered business, company, organisation, or taxpayer in an official record.
The confusing part is that people use the phrase in different ways. A bank officer may say company code and mean RC number. A tax form may mean TIN. A regulated industry form may mean a sector-specific code. A directory or supplier form may simply want the registration number that proves the business exists.
For normal business use, the most common company codes in Nigeria are:
| Code type | Common prefix | Issued by | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| RC number | RC | Corporate Affairs Commission | Limited companies, public companies and LLPs |
| BN number | BN | Corporate Affairs Commission | Registered business names, sole proprietors and partnerships |
| IT number | IT | Corporate Affairs Commission | Incorporated trustees, NGOs, clubs, churches and associations |
| TIN | Usually numeric | Nigeria Revenue Service / tax authorities | Tax filing, tax clearance and tax verification |
| SCUML certificate/reference | Varies | SCUML / EFCC | Compliance for designated non-financial businesses |
If you are not sure which number is being requested, look at the form context. If it asks for CAC details, it probably means RC, BN or IT. If it asks for tax details, it means TIN. If it is for a regulated business such as real estate, law, accounting, precious stones, casino, supermarket, hotel or other designated non-financial business, SCUML may also be relevant.
Is company code the same as RC number?
In many Nigerian business conversations, yes. People often use “company code†to mean RC number.
But technically, a company code is a broad phrase. The RC number is one type of company code.
Your RC number is the registration number assigned to a company by the Corporate Affairs Commission. It appears on the company’s incorporation documents and can be checked through CAC public search.
If your business is not a limited company, you may not have an RC number. A registered business name normally has a BN number instead.
RC number meaning in Nigeria
RC means Registration Certificate or Registered Company number in common usage. It is the unique number CAC assigns to a registered company.
An RC number usually looks like this:
- RC 1234567
- RC1234567
Older companies may have shorter registration numbers. Newer records may appear in CAC systems with updated formatting, but the number still identifies the registered entity.
Your RC number is important because it helps customers, banks, vendors, investors and government agencies confirm that your company is registered.
BN number meaning in Nigeria
BN means Business Name number. CAC gives this number to registered business names.
A BN number is common for sole proprietors, small businesses, trading names, freelancers, shop owners, agencies, artisans and partnerships that registered as a business name instead of a limited company.
A BN number may look like:
- BN 123456
- BN123456
If a form asks for company code but your business is registered as a business name, enter your BN number where the form allows business name registration details. If the form only accepts RC numbers, ask the requesting organisation whether business name registrations are accepted.
IT number meaning in Nigeria
IT means Incorporated Trustees. CAC uses this for incorporated trustees such as NGOs, churches, mosques, foundations, associations, clubs and societies.
If an incorporated trustee is asked for a company code, the relevant identifier may be its IT number, not an RC or BN number.
Is TIN the same as company code?
No. A TIN is not the same as an RC number, BN number or IT number.
TIN means Tax Identification Number. It identifies a business or individual for tax purposes. A business may need both CAC registration details and a TIN.
Use this simple distinction:
- CAC number: proves the business is registered with CAC.
- TIN: identifies the business for tax records and tax payments.
The Nigeria Revenue Service provides a TIN verification system where you can search using TIN, RC/BN, or phone number. That makes TIN useful when checking tax identity, but it does not replace CAC registration verification.
How to find your company code in Nigeria
You can find your company code by checking your official registration documents or using public verification tools.
1. Check your CAC certificate
Your CAC certificate or incorporation document should show the registration number. For a limited company, look for the RC number. For a business name, look for the BN number. For incorporated trustees, look for the IT number.
2. Check your CAC status report
CAC introduced the e-status report as a document format for registered entities. It can contain important registration details for companies, business names and incorporated trustees.
3. Use CAC public search
CAC has a public search portal where users can search existing companies and business entities. You can search by name, RC number, AV code or approved name.
To check a business:
- Go to CAC public search.
- Search with the business name or registration number.
- Confirm the registered name.
- Check the entity type.
- Check whether the status is active.
- Compare the result with the name, address and contact details you were given.
If the business name and registration number do not match, pause before paying or signing any agreement.
4. Check official company documents
Many legitimate businesses show their RC or BN number on:
- Letterheads
- Invoices
- Receipts
- Proposals
- Contracts
- Websites
- Business profiles
- Bank account opening documents
If a business refuses to provide registration details for a serious transaction, that is a reason to ask more questions.
5. Use tax verification when the form asks for TIN
If a form asks for tax identity, use the TIN verification system instead of CAC public search. The TIN system is useful when the requirement is tax-related, while CAC public search is useful when the requirement is registration-related.
How to verify a Nigerian business before you transact
Before you pay a supplier, hire a company, choose a professional service provider, or work with a contractor, verify the business from more than one angle.
Use this checklist:
- Confirm the RC, BN or IT number on CAC public search.
- Confirm the registered name matches the trading name.
- Check whether the business status is active.
- Compare phone number, address, website and email details.
- Search the business name online.
- Check the company’s business directory profile.
- Ask for official invoice or contract details.
- For regulated sectors, check the relevant regulator.
This is especially important for real estate, logistics, importation, professional services, financial services, construction, travel, education, health, and high-value supply contracts.
What is a company code list in Nigeria?
A company code list in Nigeria usually means a list of identifiers used by an organisation, regulator, bank, portal, or database.
There is no single public list that contains every company code for every Nigerian business. Instead, different agencies maintain different records.
Examples include:
- CAC records for RC, BN and IT numbers.
- Tax systems for TIN records.
- Central Bank records for licensed financial institutions and bank-related identifiers.
- SCUML records for designated non-financial businesses and professions.
- Industry regulators for sector licences.
Be careful with websites promising a free company code number list in Nigeria. A random list is not enough to prove that a business is active, legitimate, or safe to deal with. Always verify from the official source.
Example of company code in Nigeria
Here are simple examples:
- A limited liability company may use RC 1234567.
- A business name may use BN 123456.
- An incorporated trustee may use IT 12345.
- A taxpayer may have a TIN used for tax verification.
The right code depends on the business type and the purpose of the form.
Why your company code should appear on your business profile
If you run a Nigerian business, showing your RC or BN number can improve trust.
Customers want to know they are dealing with a real business. Corporate clients may need your registration details before onboarding you as a vendor. Banks, payment providers, procurement teams and partners may also ask for the same information.
On MyNigeriaBusiness.NG, a complete business profile should help users understand:
- Your business name
- Your category
- Your location
- Your contact details
- Your services
- Your address or service area
- Your website or social links
- Your registration details, where appropriate
The goal is not just to be listed. The goal is to make it easier for customers to trust and contact you.
Should every business display its RC or BN number publicly?
For many businesses, displaying registration details is useful. It can increase trust and reduce doubt.
However, you should still be careful with sensitive documents. Do not upload private shareholder documents, tax login details, bank documents, identity documents or certificates that reveal unnecessary personal information. Share the registration number and business identity details that customers need, but protect private records.
Common mistakes people make with company codes
Mistake 1: Using TIN when the form asks for RC number
TIN is for tax. RC is for CAC company registration. If the form asks for CAC number, use RC, BN or IT depending on your registration type.
Mistake 2: Using a trading name instead of the registered name
Some businesses trade with a shorter brand name, but their CAC record has a longer legal name. Use the registered name when filling official forms.
Mistake 3: Assuming every business must have an RC number
Business names usually have BN numbers, not RC numbers. Incorporated trustees have IT numbers. Not every registered entity is a limited company.
Mistake 4: Trusting screenshots without checking the source
A screenshot of a CAC certificate is not enough for serious transactions. Search the official CAC public search portal and compare the details.
Mistake 5: Ignoring inactive or mismatched records
If a company code leads to an inactive entity, a different name, or no record at all, investigate before moving forward.
Quick answer: what company code should you use?
Use this guide:
| Situation | Code to use |
|---|---|
| Limited company | RC number |
| Business name | BN number |
| NGO, church, club, association | IT number |
| Tax form or tax verification | TIN |
| SCUML-regulated business | CAC number plus SCUML details if requested |
| Bank/vendor onboarding | Usually RC, BN or IT, sometimes TIN too |
Make your business easier to verify.
Create a business profile with your service category, address, contact details and RC or BN number where appropriate. A complete listing helps customers compare and contact you with more confidence.
Frequently asked questions
What is company code in Nigeria?
Company code in Nigeria usually means the registration number used to identify a business. For a limited company, it is commonly the RC number. For a registered business name, it is the BN number. For incorporated trustees, it is the IT number. In tax situations, it may refer to TIN.
What is RC number in Nigeria?
RC number is the company registration number issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission. It identifies a registered company in CAC records and is often requested by banks, vendors, clients, portals and government agencies.
Is RC number the same as CAC number?
People often use CAC number and RC number to mean the same thing for limited companies. More accurately, CAC issues different identifiers depending on the entity type, including RC for companies, BN for business names and IT for incorporated trustees.
How do I find my RC number?
Check your CAC certificate, CAC status report, incorporation documents, corporate bank documents, or search the registered company name on CAC public search.
Can I search for a company code online?
Yes. You can use CAC public search to check registered business entities. For tax identity, use the official TIN verification system.
What is BN number?
BN number is the registration number for a business name registered with CAC. It is common for sole proprietors, small businesses and partnerships that are not incorporated as limited companies.
What is TIN in Nigeria?
TIN means Tax Identification Number. It is used for tax registration, tax filing, tax clearance and tax verification. It is different from RC, BN and IT numbers.
Is there a free company code number list in Nigeria?
There is no single reliable public list of every Nigerian company code. Use CAC public search for CAC registration records, TIN verification for tax records, and the relevant regulator for regulated sectors.
Should I add my RC number to my MyNigeriaBusiness.NG listing?
If your business is registered and you want to build trust, adding your RC or BN number to your business profile can help customers verify you. Do not upload sensitive private documents publicly.
Sources and useful official links
- Corporate Affairs Commission public search: https://icrp.cac.gov.ng/public-search/
- CAC company search service: https://cac.gov.ng/services/company-search
- CAC business name registration: https://cac.gov.ng/services/business-name
- CAC e-status report information: https://icrp.cac.gov.ng/sublink/e-status-report/
- Nigeria Revenue Service TIN verification: https://apps.firs.gov.ng/tinverification/
- SCUML registration guidance: https://portal1.scuml.net/registrationguideline.php
Explore more on MyNigeriaBusiness.NG
- Nigeria business directory: https://mynigeriabusiness.ng/
- Find a business: https://mynigeriabusiness.ng/find-a-business
- List your business: https://mynigeriabusiness.ng/register
- For merchants: https://mynigeriabusiness.ng/for-merchants
- Banks in Nigeria: https://mynigeriabusiness.ng/banks/
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