High Commission, embassy: the same job
Commonwealth countries call their missions in each other's capitals High Commissions instead of embassies. For your documents nothing else changes. When a Nigerian buyer, employer or ministry asks for "embassy attestation", they mean the stamp of the High Commission of Nigeria in New Delhi.
Nigeria does not take an apostille from India. The High Commission only looks at a paper that already carries the MEA's attestation, and the MEA only accepts one that has been checked at state level or by a Chamber of Commerce.
Exporters and project companies
A large share of our Nigeria work is commercial. Indian firms supply medicines, vehicles and spare parts, machinery, textiles and many other goods to Nigerian importers, and some build or run projects there. The papers a Nigerian buyer or regulator asks for usually include the following.
| Document | When it is asked for |
|---|---|
| Certificate of origin | Clearing goods at a Nigerian port |
| Commercial invoice and packing list | Customs and payment terms |
| Certificate of incorporation, MOA and AOA | Registering as a supplier or opening a branch |
| Free sale certificate, GMP or product licence | Registering medicines, food or cosmetics |
| Power of attorney or board resolution | Appointing a local agent or distributor |
Commercial documents start at the Chamber of Commerce. We usually need the original, or a copy on company letterhead signed and stamped by an authorised signatory. Tell us exactly what the Nigerian side has listed, and we confirm the format before you print anything.
Staff posted to Nigeria and Nigerian graduates
Indian engineers, accountants, doctors and plant managers going to Nigeria on a work contract are often asked for an attested degree, an experience certificate and sometimes a police clearance certificate. Education documents go through State HRD or Notary + SDM, depending on what the employer's list says. Experience letters go through Notary + SDM.
For a PCC, you get the certificate yourself from Passport Seva or the police. We attest the PCC you already hold. Our PCC apostille and attestation page explains this.
Nigerian students who completed a degree in India often attest it before going home, for jobs, further study or professional registration. The MEA attests Indian-issued documents whatever the holder's nationality, so the route is the same as for an Indian graduate.
Language: English is the official language of Nigeria, so most Indian documents need no translation. If a certificate is in Hindi or a regional language, we translate it into English and tell you whether the translation needs its own attestation.
Sending papers and getting them back
- Originals, or signed company copies for commercial papers
- Passport copy of the person named on personal and education documents
- The purpose: export shipment, product registration, work permit or study
- The checklist from the Nigerian buyer, employer or authority
- List on WhatsAppSend photos and the Nigerian checklist. We confirm the route and price per document.
- Originals to DelhiDrop them at our New Ashok Nagar office, or courier them to us.
- First checkChamber of Commerce, State HRD, or Notary + SDM.
- MEA and High CommissionMEA attestation, then the Nigeria High Commission stamp.
- ReturnCollect in person, or receive them by Blue Dart or another secure courier.
We give you a time estimate with the price, before you send anything.
Questions about Nigeria attestation
Our buyer says "embassy" but the mission is a High Commission. Is that a problem?
No. Both words describe the same office for this purpose. The stamp of the Nigeria High Commission in New Delhi is what your buyer needs.
We ship to Nigeria every month. Does every certificate of origin need attestation?
It depends on your buyer and the goods. Many importers ask for it on every consignment. Check with your buyer, and if it is regular, message us early so each shipment's papers move on time.
Can a power of attorney signed in India be used in Nigeria?
Yes, once it has been notarised, checked, attested by the MEA and stamped by the High Commission. Send us the draft first, because the wording and signatories matter.
I am going to Nigeria on a work permit. Which papers should I attest?
Usually your highest degree and, if asked, experience letters and a PCC. Your employer's list is the final word, so send it to us before you courier anything.
Can company papers and my personal degree go in one batch?
Yes. They take different first steps but can travel together through the MEA and the High Commission. Each document is priced separately.