Is electronic signature legal in Nigeria?
Yes, with some exceptions. Nigeria's Cybercrimes Act 2015 states that electronic signatures in respect of purchases of goods and other transactions are binding, and the Evidence Act 2011 allows them to be proved in court. Wills, birth and death certificates, family law matters, court documents and a few other categories are excluded.
Last reviewed October 2026. General information, not legal advice.
E-signature law in Nigeria at a glance
- Status
- Legal
- Main laws
Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015 (section 17), as amended in 2024
Evidence (Amendment) Act 2023
- Approach
- Open: any e-signature can be valid
Types of electronic signature in Nigeria
Electronic signature
Binding for purchases of goods and other transactions. If the signature is disputed, the person denying it bears the burden of proving it does not belong to the purported signer.
What you can sign electronically in Nigeria
- Commercial and sales contracts
- Employment contracts
- Service agreements
- Banking and payment transactions
Documents that need a handwritten signature or extra formalities
- Creation and execution of wills, codicils and other testamentary documents
- Death certificates
- Birth certificates
- Family law matters such as marriage, divorce and adoption
- Court orders, notices and official court documents such as affidavits, pleadings and motions
- Cancellation or termination of utility services
- Instruments required to accompany the transport or handling of dangerous materials
- Documents ordering the withdrawal of drugs, chemicals or other materials
Contracts that must be “in writing”
The Evidence Act 2011 allows a signature to be proved by showing that a procedure was followed for confirming that an electronic symbol was the act of the person, and the Evidence (Amendment) Act 2023 adds rules on digital signatures. Since a 2024 amendment, the Cybercrimes Act says the excluded categories can be valid electronically where they are legally verified in certified true copies; how this works in practice is not yet settled.
E-signatures in Nigeria: frequently asked questions
Are e-signed contracts binding in Nigeria?
Yes. Section 17 of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 makes electronic signatures in respect of purchases of goods and other transactions binding.
Who has to prove an e-signature is fake in Nigeria?
The person challenging it. Under section 17, the burden of proving that a signature does not belong to the purported signer is on the person contesting it.
Can affidavits be signed electronically in Nigeria?
Generally not with an ordinary e-signature. Affidavits and other court documents are excluded from the e-signature rule in the Cybercrimes Act, and an affidavit must be sworn before a person authorised to take oaths. The Evidence (Amendment) Act 2023 allows oaths to be taken by audio-visual means, so check the rules of the relevant court.
Sources
This page is general information about e-signature law in Nigeria, not legal advice. It was last reviewed in October 2026, and laws change. Check the official sources above or ask a lawyer in Nigeria before you rely on an electronic signature for an important document. See also whether electronic signatures are legal.
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