Living abroad does not stop you from swearing a Nigerian affidavit. It just changes who can witness it.
Two routes when you are outside Nigeria
You have two options. Use a Nigerian mission, or use someone authorised under the law where you live.
Both are meant to work as if you had sworn the affidavit in Nigeria itself. Which one you pick often comes down to which is easier to reach.
Swearing it at a Nigerian mission
A Nigerian embassy or high commission official of the rank of secretary or above can witness your affidavit. This includes doing any notarial act a notary public could do back home.
Book an appointment with your nearest embassy or high commission. Bring valid ID and a clear idea of what the affidavit needs to say.
Swearing it before a local official instead
You do not have to find a Nigerian mission at all. The law also allows an affidavit meant for a Nigerian court or registration to be sworn before anyone authorised to administer oaths in the country you are in.
This might be a local notary, solicitor, or another official recognised for that role where you live. Local rules on who qualifies are for that country to say, not this guide.
Either route should be treated the same by the Nigerian agency you send it to, since the law behind it does not rank one above the other.
Getting it back into use in Nigeria
Once sworn, the affidavit still needs to reach the person or agency that asked for it.
Post the original where you can, since some institutions want to see it, not a scan. Keep a copy for yourself before you send anything away.
If the affidavit needs to prove something further, such as your identity abroad, the receiving agency may also want it authenticated. See authenticating a Nigerian document for use abroad.
If you are not sure which route to use
When in doubt, start with whichever is easier to reach. A local oath-taker near you beats a Nigerian mission several hours away.
Both routes exist for a reason. The law does not ask you to prefer one over the other, only to use someone who is actually authorised to do it.
Common mistakes
- Assuming only a Nigerian embassy can help, when a local oath-taker is often closer and faster.
- Turning up at a mission without an appointment, when most run on a booking system.
- Sending only a scanned copy home, when the original is what most institutions actually want.
- Not asking the Nigerian agency in advance what it will accept from someone sworn abroad.
For notarising a document rather than swearing an affidavit, see the Notaries Public Act 2023 explained. For the wider set, see our affidavit guides.