Living abroad changes who you see and what you pay. Some steps move to a Nigerian mission or a local official. A few still need you in Nigeria.
The short answer
| Document | Where it happens | Can it be done where you live? |
|---|---|---|
| Affidavit | A Nigerian mission, or before a local oath-taker | Allowed by law; confirm the agency accepts it |
| NIN change | NIMC's portal; a new photo is the exception | Mostly |
| NIN enrolment | A NIMC-licensed partner abroad | Yes, for a fee |
| Passport | A biometric appointment at a mission | Yes, with one visit |
| Police certificate | Fingerprints, one visit; ask your mission | Unclear |
| Driving licence | An FRSC processing centre | No |
Read the table as a starting point. Each agency can change its process, so confirm before you book a flight or an appointment.
Affidavits and notarising
A Nigerian embassy or high commission official of the rank of secretary or above can take your affidavit. That official can also do any notarial act a notary public can do in Nigeria. The result counts as if you had done it there.
There is a second route. You can swear the affidavit before a local official who is authorised to administer oaths. The law allows this for a Nigerian court or registration; whether NIS or NIMC accept it is a separate question. Swearing an affidavit abroad compares the two routes.
Notarising can be remote as well. The Notaries Public Act, 2023 allows audio-visual notarisation by registered notaries. Remote and electronic notarisation explains how it works.
NIN
NIMC's diaspora guidance says Nigerians abroad can enrol free when they are in Nigeria, provided they have a valid passport. Abroad, enrolment goes through NIMC-licensed partners, and they charge a fee. NIN enrolment for Nigerians abroad covers that route.
Changing details on an existing NIN is a portal task. NIMC has directed data changes to its self-service portal since 2 Oct 2024. NIN modification needs no office visit unless you change your photo. NIN modification fees for Nigerians abroad lists the diaspora fees.
Police certificate and driving licence
Fingerprints for a police character certificate are taken in person, at the police command or formation chosen during the online application. That describes applicants in Nigeria, who make one visit.
For applicants abroad, one news report mentions a certified fingerprint chart from local police, sent through a Nigerian mission. A High Commission page says missions do not process the certificate.
So ask your mission before you assume either. Getting a police character certificate from abroad covers what is known.
The driving licence is the strict one. FRSC says the applicant must attend in person. Our post on renewing a licence from abroad explains the rest.
Passport
The standard renewal route needs one visit, for your photo and fingerprints, at a Nigerian mission. Nigerian passport fees for Nigerians abroad sets out the diaspora fees.
NIS also runs a contactless renewal. It is for Nigerians living abroad only, and not for first-time applicants and minors. If the app finds you ineligible, you book a physical biometric appointment at the embassy or high commission. See contactless passport renewal eligibility.
Common mistakes
- Assuming the only way to swear an affidavit is in Nigeria. The law also allows a mission official or, for a Nigerian court or registration, a local oath-taker.
- Sending a relative to an FRSC centre to renew your licence.
- Treating a news report about police fingerprints as a rule. Ask the mission what it accepts today.
- Assuming a mission handles every document. It takes affidavits and does notarial acts. The rest depend on the agency.
If a trip home is on the cards, documents to sort out on a trip home to Nigeria shows how to plan it. The diaspora and life events hub has the rest.