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Business · Nigeria

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.

4
steps
4
agencies involved
Who you will deal with
Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)Local Government AuthorityState Ministry of HealthNAFDAC
The steps
  1. 1Register 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
  2. 2Obtain 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
  3. 3Get 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
  4. 4Obtain 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

Primary source: https://pavestoneslegal.com/doing-business-simplified-regulatory-requirements-for-operating-a-restaurant-in-nigeria/ · confidence: high

Also in business
Certify a locally-made product (SON MANCAP)Comply with data protection (NDPA / NDPC)Hire a foreign worker (Expatriate Quota & CERPAC)Obtain an ISP / telecoms licence (NCC)Register a business for tax (TIN & VAT)Register a limited liability company (CAC)

The numbers behind the decision

Knowing the process is half of it. ONYX also tracks the operating environment you are entering — daily grid generation, official FX, state-level input prices and inflation, and sector output — each figure source-linked and dated.

ONYX publishes what the responsible agencies publish, with a link to each source. Requirements, fees and timelines change, and an officer's reading of a rule can differ from the published text. Verify against the linked source before you commit money — this is reference information, not legal advice.

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