Draft the power of attorney to match the task, sign it at the Indian High Commission in Abuja or the Consulate General in Lagos if you are an Indian citizen, or before a Nigerian notary with Ministry of Foreign Affairs authentication and Indian mission attestation. Courier the original to India, where it is stamped within three months and, for property, registered or authenticated under the Registration Act. Allow three to five 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)
- Recognition
- Section 33, Registration Act 1908
- Authentication
- Indian mission, or notary plus apostille
Power of Attorney from Nigeria: how it works
We ask what the attorney holder must do and in which state, then draft a specific power for property sales or a general power for routine management, as the sub-registrar and bank require. Indian citizens usually find it simplest to sign at the Indian mission, which avoids the separate foreign ministry step. Others sign before a Nigerian notary, then obtain authentication from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and attestation from the Indian mission.
In India, the attorney holder pays stamp duty under the state law within three months of receipt and, for immovable property, presents the power to the sub-registrar for registration or authentication. Some offices require the principal's photograph and fingerprints on the document. Banks often have their own mandate forms, so check first. The power ends on the principal's death, and any sale after that is invalid, so heirs must then proceed through succession.
What clients in Nigeria should know
- Courier from Nigeria can be slow; send by a tracked international service and keep a scan.
- Indian mission appointments in Lagos and Abuja can fill quickly; book as soon as the draft is final.
- Revoke older powers expressly and inform the bank and sub-registrar to prevent misuse.
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 Power of Attorney, or see all services for clients in Nigeria and the Inheritance & Documents practice area.
Questions from clients in Nigeria
Can a Nigerian notary witness a power of attorney for India?
Yes, but it must then be authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and attested by the Indian mission before use in India.
Is the Consulate in Lagos faster than the notary route?
For Indian citizens, usually yes, since it avoids foreign ministry authentication.
Can my wife in India sell my flat with this power?
Yes, if it is specific, stamped and registered or authenticated. She signs the sale deed as your attorney.