Electronic signatures in Nigeria
Any form of electronic signature can be legally valid. Evidential weight is decided case by case on the facts.
Are electronic signatures legal in Nigeria?
Yes. Electronic signatures are recognised and electronic records are admissible in evidence.
Recognised signature types
| Type | Standing and typical use |
|---|---|
| Electronic signature | Valid and admissible for most commercial agreements |
| Certificate-based signature | Used where higher assurance is commercially required |
Commonly signed electronically
- Employment agreements
- Commercial and supplier contracts
- Service agreements
Generally excluded
- Wills and testamentary instruments
- Powers of attorney
- Documents requiring registration with a public registry
- Negotiable instruments
Exclusions differ in detail. Docsliy blocks these at the drafting step rather than producing a document that fails later.
Local formalities
Stamp duty applies to specified instruments and is administered electronically.
Identity verification
National identity number based verification is increasingly used; bank verification number checks are common commercially.
What Docsliy supports in Nigeria
- Both tiers
- Nigerian clause libraries
- Stamp duty flagged
This is general information, not legal advice.
It describes how electronic signature law generally operates in Nigeria and is not advice on any specific agreement. Agreements carrying significant risk should be reviewed by qualified local counsel.