Do you know?

You can file for divorce in Nigeria even if your marriage took place abroad once certain legal conditions are met.

What the law says:

Section 2(1) of the Matrimonial Causes Act gives the High Court of any state in Nigeria jurisdiction to handle divorce proceedings.

Key consideration: Domicile

When it comes to dissolving a foreign marriage, the court looks closely at the domicile of the Petitioner (the person filing for divorce).

Domicile means the country where you habitually reside either by origin (where you were born) or by choice (where you have permanently settled).

• If you are a Nigerian citizen, Nigeria is presumed to be your domicile unless you have permanently settled elsewhere and acquired another domicile.
• For non-Nigerians, they must show they have been habitually resident in Nigeria for at least one year immediately before filing the petition.

Living abroad? No problem.

Even if you live outside Nigeria, you can still initiate divorce proceedings in Nigeria through a lawyer as long as:

• Your spouse resides in Nigeria, or
• You satisfy the domicile or habitual residence requirement.

Now you know:

√ Nigerians in the diaspora can still seek divorce under Nigerian law.