A Nigerian company can own an Indian private limited company under the automatic route in most sectors. The CAC certificate of incorporation, status report and board resolution are notarised in Nigeria, authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and attested by the Indian High Commission or Consulate. We then incorporate the Indian company, obtain PAN and TAN and help open a bank account, usually in four to six weeks.
- 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)
- Law
- Companies Act 2013, FEMA 1999, NDI Rules 2019
- Minimum
- 2 directors, 2 shareholders
Company Setup for Foreigners from Nigeria: how it works
We check the sector against the FDI policy and draft the board resolution of the Nigerian company authorising the investment and naming the directors and authorised signatory. The resolution is certified, signed before a Nigerian notary, authenticated in Abuja and attested by the Indian mission. The CAC status report showing current shareholders and directors supports the beneficial ownership disclosures that Indian law requires.
On incorporation, the Nigerian parent remits share capital through banking channels, and the Indian company allots shares within sixty days and reports to the RBI on Form FC-GPR. Ongoing obligations include annual filings, audit, GST registration, transfer pricing documentation and the annual return on foreign liabilities and assets. A resident director who has stayed in India 182 days in the financial year is mandatory, and many Nigerian groups appoint a trusted Indian professional to that role.
What clients in Nigeria should know
- Nigerian foreign exchange documentation for the outward investment should be in place before the Indian company is incorporated, to avoid delays in receiving share capital.
- Pharmaceutical sourcing companies should plan for Indian export documentation and Nigerian regulatory registration from the start.
- Attestation through the Nigerian foreign ministry and the Indian mission can take several weeks, so start early.
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 Company Setup for Foreigners, or see all services for clients in Nigeria and the Doing Business in India practice area.
Questions from clients in Nigeria
Can Nigerian citizens be directors of the Indian company?
Yes. Foreign directors need a digital signature certificate and director identification number using attested passports and address proof.
Which Nigerian documents are needed?
The CAC certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles, status report, board resolution and directors' passports, notarised and attested.
Can we start with a liaison office?
Yes, with RBI approval through an authorised dealer bank, but it cannot earn income. A subsidiary suits trading and procurement.