As far as we know, the Apostille Convention is not in force between Nigeria and India; check current status. Nigerian documents for India are notarised, authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja and attested by the Indian High Commission or Consulate. Indian documents for Nigeria are verified by the state, attested by the MEA and legalised by the Nigerian High Commission in New Delhi.
- Document route
- Nigerian notary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs authentication, then Indian mission attestation
- Time difference
- IST is 4h30 ahead of Nigeria all year (no daylight saving)
- Treaty
- Hague Apostille Convention 1961
- Indian authority
- Ministry of External Affairs
Apostille & Attestation from Nigeria: how it works
For Nigerian documents going to India, public documents such as birth certificates from the National Population Commission or CAC company documents are first certified by the issuing authority. Private documents such as affidavits and powers of attorney are signed before a Nigerian notary. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs authenticates the signature, and the Indian mission then attests it. Indian authorities accept the attested document, but may ask for translations of any part not in English.
For Indian documents going to Nigeria, such as degree certificates for employment or birth certificates for residence permits, the document is verified by the state government or university, then attested by the Ministry of External Affairs or its outsourced centres, and finally legalised by the Nigerian High Commission in New Delhi. Nigerian employers and immigration usually ask for this full chain. We arrange the Indian steps and track each stage.
What clients in Nigeria should know
- Nigerian birth certificates issued by the National Population Commission are preferred over hospital certificates for Indian purposes.
- Medical and academic records for Nigerian students in India may need separate attestation by the Indian institution and the MEA before use in Nigeria.
- Allow extra time, because the two-step legalisation route is slower than an apostille and appointments vary.
Step by step from Nigeria
Video consultation
A call at a time that suits Nigeria, after we have read your documents.
Documents signed in Nigeria
Nigerian notary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs authentication, then Indian mission attestation
Work in India
Our team files, appears and follows up in India, and shares scans of everything filed.
Result and handover
Certified copies and originals are couriered to you in Nigeria where needed.
The full guide
This page covers what changes when you are in Nigeria. For the law, the documents and the step-by-step procedure, read our main page on Apostille & Attestation, or see all services for clients in Nigeria and the Inheritance & Documents practice area.
Questions from clients in Nigeria
Does Nigeria accept an Indian MEA apostille?
As far as we know, Nigeria is not a party, so Nigerian authorities usually require MEA attestation followed by Nigerian High Commission legalisation.
Can ProudLegal arrange MEA attestation for my documents?
Yes. We coordinate state verification and MEA attestation, then the Nigerian High Commission step in New Delhi.
How long does the full chain take?
Usually three to six weeks, depending on the state, the document and appointment availability.