How to Increase Authorized Share Capital with CAC (2026 Guide)

As your company grows, you may find that your initial Authorized Share Capital (e.g., ₦100,000) is no longer sufficient. Whether you are seeking to attract new specialized investors, specialized applying for specialized high-value government contracts, or specialized complying with specialized industry-specific specialized minimum capital requirements (like for specialized shipping or specialized insurance), you must formally increase your share capital with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). In 2026, this process is specialized digitized through the "Post-Incorporation" portal.

This guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough of how to increase authorized share capital with CAC in 2026.

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🏗️ Why Increase your Share Capital?

• Investor Readiness: To issue new shares to a specialized venture capitalist or specialized partner, you must have enough "unissued" share capital available.
• Tender Requirements: Many specialized government and specialized multinational specialized contracts require a company to have a minimum share capital (e.g., ₦1 Million or ₦10 Million).
• Regulatory Compliance: Certain sectors (like specialized logistics, specialized security, and specialized healthcare) have mandatory minimum share capital thresholds.
• Corporate Credibility: A higher share capital reflects a more specialized substantial and specialized stable organization.

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⚡ The 2026 Online Filing Workflow

Step 1: Pass a Board Resolution

The directors must meet and pass a formal resolution approving the increase in authorized share capital.

• The resolution must state the Current Capital and the New Total Capital.
• It must be signed by the directors and specialized secretary.

Step 2: Log in to the Post-Incorporation Portal

Visit the CAC Post-Incorporation portal and log in with your accredited credentials.

Step 3: Select "Increase in Share Capital"

Navigate to the "Filings" section and select the option for "Notice of Increase in Authorized Share Capital."

Step 4: Enter the New Capital Details

• Input the amount of the increase (e.g., increasing by ₦900,000 to reach ₦1,000,000).
• Define the share distribution (e.g., ordinary shares).

Step 5: Pay FIRS Stamp Duty

The FIRS charges a Stamp Duty fee based on the value of the increase (Approx. 0.75% of the increase amount).

• In 2026, this is paid directly through the Remita integration on the CAC portal.

Step 6: Upload Mandatory Documents

• Upload a clear digital scan of the signed Board Resolution.
• Upload the updated Memorandum and Articles of Association (MEMART) reflecting the new capital.

Step 7: Final Review & CAC Approval

• Review the details and pay the CAC filing fee (Approx. ₦5,000 - ₦20,000).
• Once approved, you can download the Return of Allotment of Shares and the Updated Status Report.

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🏗️ Critical 2026 Considerations

• Allotment: Increasing the "Authorized" capital doesn't automatically mean the shares are "Issued" to someone. You must also file a Return of Allotment to assign the new shares to specific shareholders.
• Annual Returns: You cannot increase share capital if the company is in default of its Annual Returns.
• Stamp Duty: Ensure you calculate the stamp duty correctly to avoid "Queries" (rejections) from the FIRS/CAC.

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📚 Related Corporate Guides

Explore more details on corporate management and expansion:

• How to File CAC Annual Returns Online
• How to Add a New Director to your CAC Registration Online
• How to Register a Subsidiary Company with CAC in Nigeria
• Penalty for Late Filing of CAC Annual Returns (2026 Update)

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Do I need to pay the full capital into the bank?

No. Share Capital is NOT a bank balance. It is the legal value of the shares the company is authorized to issue. You only pay the registration fees and specialized stamp duty.

2. Can I decrease share capital?

Yes, but the process for specialized "Reduction of Capital" is much more complex and usually requires a specialized court order.

3. How long does the process take?

Typically 5 to 10 working days.

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Ready to Expand your Corporate Power?

Increasing your share capital is a strategic move that prepares your company for specialized significant growth and specialized professional specialized partnerships. Ensuring your CAC records are current allows you to seize new opportunities with confidence.

👉 Need help with your Share Capital Increase? Chat with our CAC Experts on WhatsApp