Proof of Residence Affidavit (Nigeria)
IN THE HIGH COURT OF [STATE] — [JUDICIAL DIVISION]
AFFIDAVIT IN PROOF OF RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS
I, [Deponent Full Name], of [Residential Address], do hereby make oath and state as follows:
1. I am a Nigerian citizen of [Deponent Nationality] nationality, born on [Deponent Date Of Birth], and by occupation a [Deponent Occupation]. I am the deponent herein and I am competent to depose to the facts set out in this Affidavit.
2. My National Identification Number (NIN) is [Deponent NIN]. My [Deponent ID Type] number is [Deponent ID Number]. My phone number is [Deponent Phone].
3. I reside at [Residential Address] (the "Residential Address").
4. I have resided continuously at the Residential Address since [Residence Since].
5. The basis of my occupation of the Residential Address is as follows: [Basis Of Residence].
6. The owner / landlord of the property is [Landlord Name], who can be contacted at [Landlord Phone].
7. This Affidavit is made for the purpose of [Purpose Of Affidavit], specifically for submission to [Requesting Institution].
8. The following supporting documents are attached to or tendered alongside this Affidavit: [Supporting Documents]
9. I make this Affidavit in good faith, believing the same to be true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief, and in accordance with the Oaths Act (Cap O1, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004).
10. I am aware that it is an offence under the Criminal Code Act (Cap C38, LFN 2004) or the Penal Code (Cap P3, LFN 2004) to make a false statement in a sworn affidavit.
DEPONENT
Sworn to at [Commissioner Court]
on the [Date Of Swearing]
Before me:
____________________________
COMMISSIONER FOR OATHS
(Stamp and Seal)
Deponent
________________
Signature
What Is a Proof of Residence Affidavit (Nigeria)?
A Proof of Residence Affidavit in Nigeria sets out facts attested under oath, giving them evidentiary weight in legal and administrative proceedings.
In Nigeria, a Proof of Residence Affidavit is a deposition made under oath or affirmation in accordance with the Oaths Act (Cap O1, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004), which governs the administration of oaths and affirmations in Nigeria. A false statement made in a sworn affidavit constitutes the criminal offence of perjury under Section 117 of the Criminal Code Act (Cap C38, LFN 2004) — applicable in southern states — or the Penal Code (Cap P3, LFN 2004) applicable in northern states, punishable by imprisonment. The Evidence Act 2011 (Cap E14, LFN 2011) governs the admissibility of affidavit evidence in Nigerian courts and administrative proceedings.
Bank Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance is the most common reason for requiring a Proof of Residence Affidavit in Nigeria. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) KYC Regulations — issued under the CBN Act 2007 and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 (MLPPA 2022) — require all Nigerian banks to verify the residential addresses of their customers as part of the Customer Due Diligence (CDD) process. Where a customer cannot provide a utility bill (EKEDC, IKEDC, EEDC, BEDC, AEDC, or other electricity distribution company bill) or a government-issued address document, many commercial banks — including Access Bank, GTBank, First Bank of Nigeria, Zenith Bank, and UBA — accept a sworn Proof of Residence Affidavit deposed before a Commissioner for Oaths at a Nigerian court registry.
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) requires proof of address as part of the National Identification Number (NIN) enrollment and update process. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) uses proof of residence to verify voter eligibility for Permanent Voter Card (PVC) registration. Educational institutions — federal and state universities, polytechnics, and secondary schools — may require a Proof of Residence Affidavit for admission purposes to confirm a student's state of origin or residential eligibility for state-based scholarships and bursaries.
A Commissioner for Oaths in Nigeria is typically a lawyer or court official empowered under the Commissioners for Oaths Law of the relevant state to administer oaths and attest affidavits. A Notary Public is a legal practitioner appointed under the Notaries Public Act (Cap N138, LFN 2004) to notarise documents for use in foreign jurisdictions. For domestic purposes, a Commissioner for Oaths attestation is sufficient; for international purposes, a Notary Public attestation may be required.
The legal framework governing the Proof of Residence Affidavit (Nigeria) in Nigeria draws on several key statutes and regulatory bodies. Under Nigerian law, the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 (CAMA) regulates corporate entities through the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). The Labour Act (Cap L1 LFN 2004) and the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) govern employment disputes. The Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) 2019 and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) protect personal data. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) administers tax obligations under the Companies Income Tax Act. The Federal High Court and state High Courts have jurisdiction over civil matters. Parties executing a Proof of Residence Affidavit (Nigeria) in Nigeria should confirm the document reflects current law, including any amendments enacted since the original drafting date. The Contract Law (received English common law) sets the foundational requirements.
When Do You Need a Proof of Residence Affidavit (Nigeria)?
A Proof of Residence Affidavit is required in Nigeria across numerous banking, regulatory, educational, and administrative contexts.
A Proof of Residence Affidavit is needed when opening a bank account or updating KYC records at a Nigerian commercial bank — including Access Bank, GTBank, Zenith Bank, First Bank, UBA, Stanbic IBTC, or any other CBN-licensed deposit money bank — where the customer cannot provide an acceptable utility bill in their name for their current residential address.
A Proof of Residence Affidavit is required when enrolling for or updating the National Identification Number (NIN) at a NIMC enrollment centre, where proof of residential address is required as part of the identity verification process under the NIMC Act 2007.
A Proof of Residence Affidavit is needed when registering for the Bank Verification Number (BVN) at a Nigerian bank under the CBN's mandatory BVN policy — or when updating a BVN record to reflect a change of residential address.
A Proof of Residence Affidavit is required when registering as a voter with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for Permanent Voter Card (PVC) issuance, where proof of residence in the voter's constituency is required under the Electoral Act 2022.
A Proof of Residence Affidavit is needed when applying for admission to a Nigerian federal university, state university, polytechnic, or college of education where proof of state of origin and residential address is required for state quota allocation under the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) admission guidelines.
A Proof of Residence Affidavit is required when applying for a government benefit, social transfer, or welfare payment from the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), conditional cash transfer schemes, or state government welfare programmes, where beneficiaries must confirm their residential addresses.
A Proof of Residence Affidavit is needed when a Nigerian abroad (diaspora) needs to confirm their last known residential address in Nigeria for passport renewal at a Nigerian High Commission or Embassy, or for property transactions, inheritance claims, or other transactions requiring proof of Nigerian residency.
Parties in Nigeria should prepare a Proof of Residence Affidavit (Nigeria) proactively rather than waiting for a dispute to arise. Courts interpret agreements based on the written terms rather than oral representations. Under Nigerian law, the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 (CAMA) regulates corporate entities through the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). The Labour Act (Cap L1 LFN 2004) and the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) govern employment disputes. The Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) 2019 and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) protect personal data. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) administers tax obligations under the Companies Income Tax Act. The Federal High Court and state High Courts have jurisdiction over civil matters. Where the transaction involves regulated activities, prior approval from the relevant authority may be required before execution.
What to Include in Your Proof of Residence Affidavit (Nigeria)
A valid Proof of Residence Affidavit in Nigeria must contain the following essential elements.
Deponent's Identity: Full legal name of the deponent exactly as it appears on their national ID card (NIN slip), International Passport, or Driver's Licence. Date of birth, occupation, and nationality should also be stated. For banks and NIMC, the NIN must be included.
Current Residential Address: The complete and precise residential address — house/flat number, street name, area/neighbourhood, Local Government Area (LGA), State, and Nigeria. The address must match the address the deponent is confirming.
Duration of Residence: The length of time the deponent has resided at the stated address (e.g., "I have resided at the above address since January 2022" or "for approximately 3 years"). This is important for KYC purposes, as banks assess the stability and plausibility of the address claim.
Basis of Residence: Whether the deponent owns the property, rents it, or lives with family — and if renting, the name of the landlord or property agent. This adds credibility to the sworn statement and may prompt the bank or institution to request additional supporting documents.
Landlord or Property Owner Confirmation (Optional but Recommended): Where available, a statement confirming the name and contact details of the property owner/landlord who can be contacted to verify the tenancy. Some banks require a corroborating sworn statement from the landlord.
Supporting Documents Reference: Reference to any supporting documents attached to or tendered alongside the affidavit — for example, a tenancy agreement, a recent utility bill (EKEDC, IKEDC, LAWMA receipt), or a local government registration document. Even if these documents are not in the deponent's name, referencing them strengthens the affidavit.
Sworn Statement and Jurat: The standard affidavit jurat — the clause at the end confirming that the deponent was sworn before the Commissioner for Oaths — must be present. The jurat should state the date and place of swearing, the name and seal of the Commissioner for Oaths, and the court registry (e.g., High Court of Lagos State, Ikeja Judicial Division).
Deponent's Signature: The deponent's original wet-ink signature (or thumbprint for illiterate deponents) on each page of the affidavit and on the jurat, made in the presence of the Commissioner for Oaths.
Commissioner for Oaths Attestation: The signature, stamp, and seal of a duly appointed Commissioner for Oaths or Notary Public, confirming that the deponent appeared before them, was duly sworn or affirmed, and signed the affidavit in their presence.
Additional compliance elements for a Proof of Residence Affidavit (Nigeria) used in Nigeria include: Under Nigerian law, the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 (CAMA) regulates corporate entities through the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). The Labour Act (Cap L1 LFN 2004) and the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) govern employment disputes. The Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) 2019 and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) protect personal data. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) administers tax obligations under the Companies Income Tax Act. The Federal High Court and state High Courts have jurisdiction over civil matters. Forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point for Nigeria-compliant documentation.
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Forms Legal. (2026). Proof of Residence Affidavit (Nigeria) (Nigeria) [Legal document template]. Forms Legal. https://forms-legal.com/nigeria/personal/legal-declarations/proof-of-residence-affidavit-nigeria
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year = {2026},
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}Frequently Asked Questions
A Proof of Residence Affidavit in Nigeria can be sworn before a Commissioner for Oaths at any of the following locations: the registry of the High Court in your state (e.g., Lagos State High Court registry at Igbosere or Ikeja, Federal High Court registries in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, or other cities); a magistrate's court registry in your Local Government Area; or at a law firm or notary public office whose principal is a Commissioner for Oaths. In major Nigerian cities, law firms that offer Commissioner for Oaths services are widely available — typically charging NGN 1,000 to NGN 5,000 for attesting an affidavit. For affidavits to be used abroad, you should use a Notary Public (appointed under the Notaries Public Act) rather than a Commissioner for Oaths, and the document may also need Apostille certification from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or authentication by the relevant foreign embassy or consulate.
Most Nigerian commercial banks accept a duly sworn Proof of Residence Affidavit as a valid address verification document for Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance under the CBN KYC Regulations. The CBN Customer Due Diligence Regulations and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 (MLPPA 2022) require banks to verify the residential addresses of customers, and the CBN has acknowledged that utility bills may not be available for all customers — particularly in areas without formal addressing systems or for customers living in family compounds. Access Bank, GTBank, Zenith Bank, First Bank of Nigeria, UBA, and other Tier 1 banks typically accept a sworn affidavit from the High Court registry as a substitute for a utility bill. However, individual bank policies vary, and some banks may require the affidavit to be less than 3 or 6 months old, or may require additional corroborating documents alongside the affidavit.
In Nigeria, an affidavit and a statutory declaration are both sworn written statements but serve different purposes and are governed by different legal provisions. An affidavit is a sworn statement made under oath or affirmation before a Commissioner for Oaths or a court officer under the Oaths Act (Cap O1, LFN 2004), and is typically used as evidence in legal proceedings or to satisfy institutional requirements (such as bank KYC). The deponent swears on the Bible, Quran, or other holy book, or makes an affirmation (for those with religious or conscientious objections to oaths). A statutory declaration is a written statement declared by the declarant to be true under the penalties of perjury, typically made before a Notary Public or a prescribed officer under specific legislation. Both documents create criminal liability for false statements under the Criminal Code Act or Penal Code. For Nigerian bank KYC, NIMC, and INEC purposes, an affidavit deposed before a Commissioner for Oaths is the standard and accepted form.
In Nigeria, an affidavit must generally be deposed by the person with direct knowledge of the facts — the deponent must personally appear before the Commissioner for Oaths, be identified, take the oath or affirmation, and sign the affidavit in the presence of the Commissioner. A third party cannot swear an affidavit on another person's behalf as to facts within the first person's knowledge. However, a landlord or property owner may swear a separate, corroborating Proof of Residence Affidavit confirming that a named tenant has been residing at the landlord's property — this is sometimes used to supplement the tenant's own affidavit for KYC purposes. For individuals who are physically incapacitated and cannot appear at a court registry, some High Courts may permit a Commissioner for Oaths to attend at the deponent's residence to administer the oath, though this requires prior arrangement with the court.
Nigerian law does not prescribe a statutory validity period for a Proof of Residence Affidavit. The validity period is determined by the institution or authority requiring the affidavit. For bank KYC compliance under CBN regulations, most commercial banks accept a Proof of Residence Affidavit that is not more than 3 to 6 months old at the time of submission. For NIMC NIN enrollment and updates, the NIMC may require a recent affidavit (within 3 months). For INEC voter registration, the electoral commission's current guidelines should be checked as requirements change with each electoral cycle. As a general rule, it is advisable to obtain a fresh Proof of Residence Affidavit for each institution requiring it, or whenever your residential address changes — as an affidavit confirming an address at which you no longer reside is factually inaccurate and may raise KYC concerns.
This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.Full disclaimer
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