One of the earliest registered businesses in Nigeria was the Bank of British West Africa (BBWA), which was incorporated on January 1, 1894. The bank was founded by a group of British merchants and bankers, and it was granted a royal charter by Queen Victoria. The BBWA was originally headquartered in Lagos, but it later opened branches in other parts of Nigeria and West Africa. The bank played a major role in the development of the Nigerian economy, and it helped to finance the construction of railways, roads, and other infrastructure. The BBWA was eventually taken over by Barclays Bank, which is now known as First Bank of Nigeria.
Here are some additional details about the first registered business in Nigeria: