Revocation of Power of Attorney (Nigeria)
DEED OF REVOCATION OF POWER OF ATTORNEY
Powers of Attorney Act (Cap P18, LFN 2004) | Conveyancing Act 1881
THIS DEED OF REVOCATION OF POWER OF ATTORNEY is made on [Revocation Date]
BY:
[Donor Name] of [Donor Address], [Donor Description] (hereinafter referred to as the "Donor" or "Principal").
RECITALS
A. By a Power of Attorney dated [Original POA Date], the Donor appointed [Attorney Name] of [Attorney Address] as attorney with authority to: [Original POA Description] (the "Original Power of Attorney").
B. The Original Power of Attorney was registered vide reference [Registration Reference].
C. The Donor now wishes to revoke and cancel the Original Power of Attorney in its entirety.
NOW THIS DEED WITNESSETH as follows:
1. REVOCATION
1.1 The Donor hereby revokes, cancels, and withdraws in its entirety the Original Power of Attorney dated [Original POA Date] granted to [Attorney Name], together with all authority, powers, and discretions contained therein, with effect from the date of this Deed.
1.2 As from the date of this Deed, [Attorney Name] shall have no further authority to act on behalf of the Donor pursuant to the Original Power of Attorney.
2. NOTIFICATION TO THIRD PARTIES
2.1 The Donor shall promptly deliver or send by registered post a certified copy of this Deed of Revocation to [Attorney Name] and to the following known third parties who may have been relying upon the Original Power of Attorney: [Third Parties to Notify].
2.2 Where the Original Power of Attorney was registered at a State Land Registry or the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), the Donor shall file this Deed of Revocation with the relevant registry to provide constructive notice to third parties under the applicable land registration law.
3. GOVERNING LAW
3.1 This Deed is governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and shall be construed in accordance with the Powers of Attorney Act (Cap P18, LFN 2004) and the Conveyancing Act 1881 (as applicable).
Donor (Principal)
________________
Signature
What Is a Revocation of Power of Attorney (Nigeria)?
A Revocation of Power of Attorney in Nigeria is a formal written instrument by which the principal (donor) of a Power of Attorney withdraws the authority previously granted to the attorney (donee), bringing the Power of Attorney to an end. Revocation of Powers of Attorney in Nigeria is governed primarily by the Powers of Attorney Act (Cap P18, LFN 2004) — the principal federal statute regulating the creation, operation, and termination of powers of attorney in Nigeria.
Under the Powers of Attorney Act (Cap P18), a principal may revoke a Power of Attorney at any time, subject to exceptions for irrevocable powers given for valuable consideration or coupled with an interest. Section 6 of the Powers of Attorney Act protects third parties who deal with an attorney in good faith and without notice of a revocation, making it essential that a revocation is promptly and widely communicated — particularly to any person or institution that has been relying on the Power of Attorney.
A Revocation of Power of Attorney in Nigeria must itself be executed as a deed where the original Power of Attorney was a deed, following the requirements of the Conveyancing Act 1881 (applicable in southern Nigerian states) and the general rule that an instrument required to be under seal can only be undone by a deed. The Supreme Court of Nigeria in Ogundiani v Araba [1978] 6-7 SC 55 affirmed that the formal requirements for execution of powers of attorney and their revocation must be strictly observed to be effective against third parties.
The revocation takes immediate effect between the donor and donee from the moment of execution. However, to be effective against third parties — banks, land registry officers, counterparties to commercial transactions — the revocation must be communicated to them directly. Publication of notice of revocation in the Federal Government Official Gazette or a newspaper of wide circulation strengthens the public notice, particularly where the attorney had broad commercial or land transaction authority that may have been relied upon by third parties who are not personally known to the donor.
The legal framework governing the Revocation of Power of Attorney (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 Revocation of Power of Attorney (Nigeria) in Nigeria should confirm the document reflects current law, including any amendments enacted since the original drafting date. The Powers of Attorney Act (Cap. P20, LFN 2004) sets the foundational requirements.
When Do You Need a Revocation of Power of Attorney (Nigeria)?
A Revocation of Power of Attorney in Nigeria is required whenever a principal wishes to cancel an existing Power of Attorney and withdraw authority from the attorney.
A Revocation of Power of Attorney is needed when a property owner who previously granted a Power of Attorney to manage or sell their land decides to take back personal control of the property. In Nigerian real estate — where attorneys acting under broad powers of attorney have sometimes engaged in fraudulent disposals of property — prompt revocation protects the owner's title.
A Revocation of Power of Attorney is required when the relationship of trust between the donor and the attorney has broken down — for example, where the attorney has exceeded their authority, failed to account for proceeds, or engaged in self-dealing. The revocation removes the attorney's legal authority immediately upon execution.
A Revocation of Power of Attorney is needed when the donor executes a new Power of Attorney appointing a different attorney for the same purpose. While the appointment of a new attorney may impliedly revoke an inconsistent prior Power of Attorney, an express written revocation eliminates any uncertainty about which Power of Attorney is currently operative.
A Revocation of Power of Attorney is required when the donor returns to Nigeria after a period of absence abroad and no longer needs a local attorney to manage affairs on their behalf. The revocation formally ends the attorney's authority and triggers a final accounting of all transactions conducted under the Power of Attorney.
A Revocation of Power of Attorney is needed when a bank or financial institution has been acting on instructions given by an attorney under a Power of Attorney and the donor wishes to resume direct control of the bank account. The donor must serve the revocation notice directly on the bank, and the bank must update its records before it can safely accept instructions from the donor alone.
Parties in Nigeria should prepare a Revocation of Power of Attorney (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 Revocation of Power of Attorney (Nigeria)
A valid Nigeria Revocation of Power of Attorney must contain the following essential elements.
Deed Form: Where the original Power of Attorney was executed as a deed, the Revocation must also be executed as a deed — signed, witnessed, and sealed under the requirements of the Conveyancing Act 1881 and the Powers of Attorney Act (Cap P18, LFN 2004). For simpler powers of attorney not executed as deeds, a signed written revocation is sufficient.
Donor (Principal) Identification: Full legal name, address, and description of the donor. For corporate donors (companies), include the CAMA 2020 RC number and the name of the authorised company officer.
Original Power of Attorney Reference: The exact date of the original Power of Attorney being revoked, the name of the attorney (donee), and a brief description of the authority granted — for example, 'to sell and transfer the property known as Plot 5, Block B, Victoria Garden City, Lagos State.' Where the Power of Attorney was registered at a State Land Registry or the CAC, include the registration reference number.
Revocation Statement: An express statement that the donor hereby revokes, cancels, and withdraws all authority previously granted to the named attorney under the specified Power of Attorney, with effect from the date of the Revocation.
Notification Obligation: The donor's intention to serve notice of revocation on identified third parties — banks, the State Land Registry, the Lagos Lands Bureau, the CAC (for company-related powers) — who were known to be relying on the Power of Attorney.
Date: The exact date of execution of the Revocation, which is the date from which the revocation operates between donor and donee.
Witness Requirements: Execution before two witnesses for deed form revocations, or one witness for simpler revocations, with full names, addresses, and signatures of witnesses.
Donor Signature: The donor's signature or thumbprint (for illiterate donors, with a jurat clause confirming the document was read and explained in a language the donor understands).
Additional compliance elements for a Revocation of Power of Attorney (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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Reference this free template in an article, syllabus, or research note:
Forms Legal. (2026). Revocation of Power of Attorney (Nigeria) (Nigeria) [Legal document template]. Forms Legal. https://forms-legal.com/nigeria/personal/legal-declarations/revocation-of-power-of-attorney-nigeria
"Revocation of Power of Attorney (Nigeria) (Nigeria)." Forms Legal, 2026, https://forms-legal.com/nigeria/personal/legal-declarations/revocation-of-power-of-attorney-nigeria.
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author = {{Forms Legal}},
title = {Revocation of Power of Attorney (Nigeria) (Nigeria)},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://forms-legal.com/nigeria/personal/legal-declarations/revocation-of-power-of-attorney-nigeria}},
note = {Free legal document template. Based on Powers of Attorney Act (Cap. P20, LFN 2004)}
}
Frequently Asked Questions
Revoking a Power of Attorney in Nigeria requires executing a formal written Revocation of Power of Attorney and delivering it to the attorney (donee). Where the original Power of Attorney was executed as a deed, the Revocation must also be in deed form — signed, witnessed, and sealed under the Powers of Attorney Act (Cap P18, LFN 2004) and the Conveyancing Act 1881. The revocation takes effect between the donor and donee from the moment the donee receives notice. To protect the donor against third parties who continue to deal with the attorney after revocation, the donor must also notify all parties who were known to be relying on the Power of Attorney — including banks, the State Land Registry, the Lagos Lands Bureau, and commercial counterparties. Publication of the revocation in a national newspaper or the Federal Government Official Gazette provides constructive notice to the wider public.
An irrevocable Power of Attorney in Nigeria cannot be unilaterally revoked by the donor during the period of irrevocability, provided the power was properly constituted as irrevocable. Under the Powers of Attorney Act (Cap P18, LFN 2004) and common law principles applied by Nigerian courts, a Power of Attorney is irrevocable where it is expressed to be irrevocable and is given for valuable consideration or is coupled with an interest — for example, where a lender is given a power of attorney over a mortgaged property as security for a loan. The Supreme Court of Nigeria in Onafowokan v Wema Bank Plc [2011] confirmed that an irrevocable Power of Attorney coupled with an interest cannot be revoked without the attorney's consent during the period of irrevocability. Once the secured obligation is discharged, the irrevocable power terminates automatically and a formal revocation should be executed for completeness.
Registration of a Revocation of Power of Attorney in Nigeria depends on whether the original Power of Attorney was registered. Where the original Power of Attorney was registered at a State Land Registry — as is required for Powers of Attorney used in land transactions under the Lagos State Land Registration Law 2015 and equivalent state laws — the Revocation should also be registered at the same State Land Registry to provide constructive notice to third parties dealing with the land. Failure to register the revocation means that a purchaser or mortgagee who deals with the attorney after revocation, without actual notice of the revocation, may be protected as a bona fide purchaser for value without notice. Where the Power of Attorney was registered at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in connection with a company transaction, the revocation should also be notified to the CAC.
Under Nigerian law, the death of the donor (principal) automatically revokes all ordinary Powers of Attorney — including general and special powers — at the moment of death, even if the attorney is unaware of the death. This principle derives from the agency law rule that death terminates the agent's authority. However, the death revocation is effective only between the donor's estate and the attorney; a third party who deals with the attorney in good faith after the donor's death, without knowing of the death, is protected under Section 4 of the Powers of Attorney Act (Cap P18, LFN 2004). Mental incapacity of the donor similarly revokes an ordinary Power of Attorney at common law, but an Enduring Power of Attorney (Lasting Power of Attorney) — which is expressed to survive incapacity under the Powers of Attorney Act — continues to operate notwithstanding the donor's subsequent mental incapacity.
After executing a Revocation of Power of Attorney in Nigeria, the donor should take the following steps. First, personally deliver or send by registered post a certified copy of the revocation to the former attorney, obtaining a signed receipt or proof of delivery. Second, notify all known third parties who may have been dealing with the attorney — including banks (present the revocation to the branch manager in person), the relevant State Land Registry, the Lagos Lands Bureau, and corporate counterparties. Third, if the Power of Attorney was registered, file the Revocation with the relevant Land Registry or CAC. Fourth, publish a notice of revocation in at least one newspaper of wide national circulation, particularly where the attorney held broad commercial authority. Fifth, require the attorney to deliver a final account of all transactions conducted and return any unspent funds, documents, or property held on the donor's behalf.
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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