Nigeria: Non-Hague + 3-tier chain
The Federal Republic of Nigeria has not acceded to the Hague Apostille Convention 1961 as of mid-2026 (the Federal Ministry of Justice is reviewing accession). Foreign documents must complete the full 3-tier chain: origin MFA + Embassy of Nigeria in Bangkok + Ministry of Foreign Affairs Abuja (Authentication Division, Tafawa Balewa House) before acceptance at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Federal High Court, or Marriage Registry under Marriage Act Cap M6 LFN 2004.
The Embassy of Nigeria Bangkok is at 91/9 Mooban Somwang, Sathorn Soi 1, Thung Maha Mek, Sathorn. Submission 09:00–12:00 Mon–Fri; THB 2,000–3,500/page, 7–10 business days. Appointment via consular.bangkok@foreignaffairs.gov.ng two weeks ahead.
Popular documents and use cases
CAC Company Incorporation: Limited Liability Company under Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 (CAMA) — full-chain Memorandum & Articles + Form CAC 1.1 + Director Consent; ≥1 foreign Director requires NIS Subject to Regulation (STR) Visa.
NIS CERPAC (Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card) for foreign nationals working ≥56 days — full-chain Diploma + Police Clearance + Medical + Expatriate Quota from the Ministry of Interior.
Marriage Registry (Ikoyi / Federal Marriage Registry, Wuse Abuja): Marriage Act Cap M6 — Single Status + Birth Certificate + Letter of Comfort from the Royal Thai Embassy with full chain.
Federal High Court: cross-state commercial cases, IP, immigration appeals — full-chain Power of Attorney + Statement of Claim under Federal High Court Act Cap F12 LFN 2004.
NAFDAC Product Registration: National Agency for Food and Drug Administration — full-chain Certificate of Free Sale + GMP Certificate for food/drug/cosmetics import.
Costs and timeline
Thai MFA Legalisation: THB 400/page + handling THB 800 = THB 1,200/page; 2–3 business days.
Embassy of Nigeria Bangkok: THB 2,000–3,500/page + appointment fee THB 200; 7–10 business days (3-day express +100%).
MOFA Abuja (Tafawa Balewa House): NGN 5,000–15,000/page (~THB 400–1,200) + partner facilitation THB 2,000/page; 5–7 business days.
No translation needed — Nigeria uses English as the sole official language under the 1999 Constitution, saving cost compared with Egypt/UAE/China.
End-to-end CAC Company Registration (5 documents): THB 9,500–15,500/set, 18–25 business days including DHL.
Nigeria-specific pitfalls
1) CAMA 2020 s.78 requires a Foreign Company to register as a Nigerian Subsidiary before doing business — a Branch Office is not permitted (with special exceptions for oil & gas and banking).
2) Nigeria Immigration Service strictly enforces Expatriate Quota — companies must obtain quota from the Ministry of Interior before filing CERPAC; quota starts at 2 positions and scales with capital base.
3) Marriage Act Cap M6 recognises only Monogamous marriage at the Federal Marriage Registry — Customary/Islamic marriages under Sharia in the northern states (Kano, Sokoto, Zamfara) follow separate rules.
4) The Embassy of Nigeria Bangkok closes for Independence Day (1 Oct), Democracy Day (12 Jun), Eid al-Fitr/Adha and Christmas. NYC checks the calendar before booking.
5) NAFDAC requires a local Nigerian representative + Site Inspection at the origin factory (NAFDAC inspector flies to Thailand; travel cost USD 5,000–8,000).