The approval of ‘BokoHaram Training Hub’, ‘Nigeria Must Scatter’, and others as business names by the Corporate Affairs Commission’s (CAC) new AI-powered registration portal has sparked outrage, as Nigerians are accusing it of prioritising speed and automation at the expense of efficiency, accuracy, and security.
The CAC launched a new artificial intelligence-powered registration portal, the Intelligent Company Registration Portal (ICRP) 3.0, on July 1, 2025, promising to incorporate businesses within 30 minutes.
According to the commission, it decided to ease the process of formalising businesses in Nigeria, especially for startups and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).
It stated that the system utilises artificial intelligence to automate critical steps, including name reservation, documentation checks, and data validation. Additionally, it noted that by eliminating the traditional manual review process, it can significantly reduce the time required to incorporate a business.
Meanwhile, users have condemned the new system as lacking the human judgment necessary to prevent misuse, despite the widespread acceptance of the automation concept.
The system recently approved the registration of business names such as “Boko Haram Training Hub”, “Explosives Making Enterprises”, and “Nigeria Must Scatter Enterprises” – names that experienced CAC officers would normally reject immediately, according to findings.
A Facebook user says that using the new portal showed that the commission seemingly prioritised speed and automation over efficiency, accuracy, and reliability, instead of focusing on what is truly needed: a workable, efficient, and user-friendly interface, whether AI-powered or not.
He preferred that, while the previous platform, CRP 2.0, had its flaws, it was at least manageable.
He further shared names that have recently passed through the iCRP 3.0 name reservation system without a flag or restriction, which include: Bandits Food Supply, Boko Haram Training Hub, Nuclear Proliferation Services, Explosives Making Enterprises, and Nigeria Must Scatter Enterprises.
He urges CAC to reintroduce human oversight, refine the AI’s logic, engage with users for feedback, and ensure any automation aligns with national security and ethical standards.
Others also express that they are unable to access their accounts and that the new system poses a significant challenge, advising that CAC must review the decision as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, CAC has responded that some individuals have deliberately attempted to test and manipulate the system.
Mr Ishaq Hussaini Magaji, the CAC Registrar General, in a statement issued on Wednesday, stated that the AI-powered platform is designed to learn and improve continuously.
