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How to register a company in the UK from Nigeria

June 20, 2025

How to register a company in the UK from Nigeria

Expanding your business footprint into the United Kingdom can be a smart move for Nigerian entrepreneurs aiming for global presence, credibility, and access to one of the world’s most lucrative markets.

But how do you, as a Nigerian resident or business owner, register a company in the UK without physically being there?

In this article, we’ll show you how to register a company in the UK from Nigeria with ease, from choosing your company structure to completing registration online.

So, whether you’re a tech founder, freelancer, export merchant, or digital entrepreneur, we’ll walk through the process.

Advantages of opening a UK company from Nigeria

1. Internationally recognized business: A UK company gives your business an international credibility. UK companies are highly regarded internationally.

2. Global reach: A UK company helps you plug into the UK startup ecosystem and give your business a global reach. All companies Incorporated in the UK can sell to worldwide customers.

3. Business banking: A UK company gives you access to business banking in British Pounds, United States dollars, and euros. A UK company can trade in any of these currencies.

4. Access to payment gateways: A UK company gives you access to payment gateways such as Stripe and Paddle, even if you are not a resident of the UK.

5. Perks and rewards: Registering a company in the UK gives you access to the perks and rewards of some of the best software and business tools in the world.

Requirements to register a UK company from Nigeria

The requirements for starting a UK company as a Nigerian resident are to be at least 16 years of age and have one valid proof of ID and proof of address.

You will need to have one proof of ID to incorporate your business or startup in the UK. The proof of ID we accept must be a government-issued ID from Nigeria or any other country you are a citizen of.

Proof of ID can be one of the following:

Passport
National ID
Voters card
Driving license

Proof of address can be one of the following:

Electricity bill
Water bill
Gas bill
Bank statement
Driving license
Tenancy agreement

Other requirements to open a UK company from Nigeria

You will need to have a UK-registered office address and a director service address.

What is a registered office address?

A registered office address is your company’s official address in the UK where all your company’s official mails will be sent to. Official mails include mails from UK Government agencies such as Companies House, HMRC, ICO, and others.

What is a director service address?

The most popular company structure in the UK is the UK Limited (Ltd) company. This company structure requires a minimum of one director who must be at least 16 years old.

By default, your residential address will appear on the official UK public records as the director of the company.

But with our director service address, your home address will be kept private. We will use our UK address as your address on public records to offer you the privacy of your residential address.

Types of UK companies you can register

The most common types of business structures in the UK are:

Private Company Limited by Shares (Ltd): Most popular. Ideal for profit-making businesses.
Private Company Limited by Guarantee: For non-profits.
Public Limited Company (PLC): For businesses that plan to trade shares publicly.
Sole Trader: Simple, but not a separate legal entity.
Limited Liability Partnership (LLP): Suitable for partnerships like law or consulting firms.

For most Nigerian entrepreneurs, the Private Limited Company (Ltd) is the best option.

How to register a company in the UK from Nigeria | Step-by-step process

Choose a company name

Your business name must be unique and not contain sensitive or offensive words. You can check name availability on the UK government’s Companies House website.

Decide the business structure

Go with a Private Limited Company (Ltd) unless you have other complex needs.

Choose a registered UK address

You need a UK address to receive official mail. You can rent a virtual office address via services like Hoxton Mix, 1st Formations, or Your Company Formations.

Appoint directors and shareholders

At least one director is required. A shareholder can be the same person. As a Nigerian, you can hold 100% of the shares.

Allocate shares

Indicate the number and value of your shares. You can issue 1 share at £1 if you’re the sole owner.

Prepare company details

This includes:

Company name
SIC code (describes your business activity)
Director and shareholder details
Registered address
Share structure

Register with Companies House

Go here or use an online agent. Fill out all the required information. You can register your company in as little as 24 hours.

Receive Certificate of Incorporation

Once approved, you’ll get a certificate of incorporation showing your company number and date of registration.

Register for taxes (If applicable)

You must register for:

PAYE (if you hire staff)
Corporation tax (within 3 months of trading)
VAT (if your annual turnover is £85,000+)

Best online platforms to register a UK Company from Nigeria

You can use any of the following trusted UK company formation agents:

1st Formations – Offers Nigerian-friendly packages
YourCompanyFormations.co.uk
Osome
Rapid Formations
Hoxton Mix

These agents will:

Handle Companies House registration
Provide a UK business address
Offer company secretarial support
Help with VAT and tax registrations

Prices range from £50 – £150 depending on the package.

Costs & budget breakdown

Cost component	Estimated range
Companies House (online Ltd)	£12
Postal Ltd registration	£40
Overseas branch fee	£71
Same-day/agent charges	£30–£50
Registered/Service Address	£50–£200/year
Incorporation agent packages	£100–£400+
Virtual office	£100–£300/year
Annual compliance filings	£34–£62 per document
Professional/accounting fees	£300–£1,000+ annually

Note: A lean setup (online filing + virtual office + DIY filings) can start ~£300/year, while fuller packages may reach £1,000+.

Benefits vs challenges of registering your company in the UK

Benefits:

Strong global brand credibility
Access to powerful financial tools and payment systems
Easier market entry in Europe/US via a UK base
Clear liability protection and structured regulations

Challenges:

Ongoing compliance & filing deadlines
Initial expenses for services and addresses
Visa sponsorship requires trusted UK partners
Accounting and taxes across jurisdictions require care

Tips for Nigerian entrepreneurs

Use reputable UK Registered Office services that include mail-forwarding
Consider hiring incorporation agents for seamless filings—avoid mistakes
Use service address to protect personal data
Plan share capital structure in coordination with Nigerian tax/foreign-exchange policies
Use cloud accounting solutions (Xero, QuickBooks) compliant with UK standards
Keep track of compliance deadlines using reminders and trusted agents

Frequently Asked Questions about starting a UK company from Nigeria

Do I need to visit the UK to do anything?

You do not need to visit the UK to carry out anything. Incorpuk is a business infrastructure platform for non-UK residents to start and manage a UK company from anywhere in the world.

Is it legal to open a UK company from Nigeria?

Yes, it is legal to open a UK company from Nigeria. There are no country restrictions for UK companies. A resident and citizen of Nigeria can open a UK company. The requirement is to be at least 16 years old, and have proof of ID and proof of address in Nigeria.

Can I be able to open Payment Gateway accounts from Nigeria for my UK company?

Absolutely. You will be able to open Stripe and Paddle for your UK company. Platforms like Incorpuk actively assist non-UK residents in opening payment gateway accounts such as Stripe, Paddle, Shopify Payments, GoCardless, etc.

Do I need to be in the UK to open a UK business bank account?

You do not need to travel to the UK to open a business bank account for your UK company. You can carry out everything from the comfort of your home through our support and guidelines.

How do I manage my company finances from Nigeria?

You can manage your company finances from Nigeria through your UK company bank account. You can make transfers to your bank account in Nigeria and also use your business bank account debit card to carry out expenses for your company.

Conclusion

Registering a UK company as a non-UK resident is a feasible and rewarding endeavour with the right knowledge and guidance. By understanding the requirements, seeking professional assistance when necessary, you can establish and operate a successful business in the UK. Take advantage of the thriving UK startup ecosystem, favourable business environment, and global opportunities that the UK offers to non-resident entrepreneurs.

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