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Start & structureBusinessNigeria

Open a restaurant / food business

Licensing to operate a restaurant or food-service business: CAC → Local Government food permit → food handlers' health certificates → NAFDAC Good Hygiene Practice.

Procedure
4steps
Coordination
4agencies
Category
Start & structureBusiness
Task links

Go to the exact next page

Application, requirements, forms, fees, and tracking are labelled separately.

Apply onlineRegister the business with CACCorporate Affairs Commission · icrp.cac.gov.ngApply onlineStart food-service accreditationNigeria Tourism Development Authority · accreditation.ntda.gov.ngFederal food-service accreditation; local premises permits remain location-specific.
Offline / state-specificConfirm the premises permit with the local governmentLocal government authorityThere is no single national application. The correct office and form depend on the premises location.
Offline / state-specificBook food-handler screening with the state health authorityState Ministry of HealthHealth-certificate booking is administered by the state where staff work.
RequirementsRead the Good Hygienic Practices guideline (PDF)NAFDAC · nafdac.gov.ngRequirementsRead the Food Hygiene Regulations 2025 (PDF)NAFDAC · nafdac.gov.ng
Routing map

Who you will deal with

Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)Local Government AuthorityState Ministry of HealthNAFDAC
Procedure

The steps, in order

Each route below is scoped to the step it can actually complete.

  1. 01

    Register the business (CAC)

    Agency
    Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)
    What is required
    Incorporate or register the business name (see the CAC procedure).
    Documents
    Certificate of Incorporation / business name
    Typical timeline
    See CAC procedure
    Use for this step
  2. 02

    Obtain the Local Government food/premises permit

    Agency
    Local Government Authority
    What is required
    Apply for a food/premises permit in the Local Government where the restaurant is located, before commencing operations.
    Documents
    Business registration; premises address
    Typical timeline
    Before commencement
    Use for this step
    Apply onlineStart food-service accreditationNigeria Tourism Development Authority · accreditation.ntda.gov.ngFederal food-service accreditation; local premises permits remain location-specific.
    Offline / state-specificConfirm the premises permit with the local governmentLocal government authorityThere is no single national application. The correct office and form depend on the premises location.
  3. 03

    Get food handlers' health certificates

    Agency
    State Ministry of Health
    What is required
    Food-handling staff obtain health/fitness certificates from the State Ministry of Health or a recognised facility (blood, sputum, urine, widal, hepatitis tests).
    Documents
    Staff medical tests
    Typical timeline
    Per staff member
    Use for this step
    Offline / state-specificBook food-handler screening with the state health authorityState Ministry of HealthHealth-certificate booking is administered by the state where staff work.
  4. 04

    Obtain NAFDAC Good Hygiene Practice (GHP) licence

    Agency
    NAFDAC
    What is required
    Food processed/sold in commercial quantity requires a NAFDAC GHP licence; premises are inspected for ventilation, water, sanitation and handler certification. Non-compliance fines up to ₦800,000.
    Documents
    Premises inspection; food-handler certificates
    Typical timeline
    After inspection
    Use for this step
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