Oaths Act (2024)

Arrangement of Sections

1. The oaths to be taken as occasion shall demand shall be the oaths set out in the First Schedule to this Act.

2. A person appointed to an office set out in the second column of the Second Schedule to this Act shall take the oath specifiedin the first column of the said Schedule which shall be administered by the authority specified in the third column of the saidSchedule.

3. (1) Except in the case of the President, no person who has duly taken the Oath of Allegiance or the Judicial Oath in Nigeriaas provided in this Act shall be required again to take that oath on appointment to any other office or on any other occasion.(2) A person appointed to act in any office or capacity in the place of any officer or person, shall not be required to take anyoath on the occasion of such appointment, unless the oath required to be taken in respect of such appointment is different fromor in addition to any oath duly taken by him in respect of any other appointment, permanent or temporary.

(3) For the avoidance of doubt and notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, a person holding an officeor position specified in the second column of the Second Schedule to this Act shall, on or as soon as may be convenient after thefirst day of October, nineteen hundred and sixty-three, take the oath prescribed for that office in the first column of the saidSchedule.

4. (1) Nothing in this Act shall render, or be deemed to render or be deemed to have rendered invalid any act done or which hereaftermay be done by a public officer in the execution or intended execution of his official duties, by reason only of the omission bythe public officer to take any oath or to make any affirmation which the officer should take or should have taken or should makeor should have made:Provided that any person who declines, neglects, or omits to take the required oath or make the required affirmation under thisAct shall,
(a) if he has already entered on his office, be deemed to have vacated that office from the date of refusal; and

(b) if he has not already entered on his office, be disqualified from entering on the same.(2) No irregularity in the form in which an oath or affirmation is administered or taken shall-
(a) invalidate the performance of official duties, or
(b) invalidate proceedings in any court, or
(c) render inadmissible evidence in or in respect of which an irregularity took place in any proceedings.(3) The failure to take an oath or make an affirmation, and any irregularity as to the form of oath or affirmation shall in nocase be construed to affect the liability of a witness to state the truth.

5. (1) Whenever an oath is required to be taken under the provisions of this or any other Act, or in order to comply with therequirements of any law in force for the time being in Nigeria, or other country, the following provisions shall apply-
The person taking the oath may do so in form and manner following, that is to say-
(a) he shall,
(i) if a Muslim, place both hands on a copy of the Koran,
(ii) if a Christian, hold in his right hand a copy of the Holy Bible or of the New Testament,
(iii) if a Jew, hold in his uplifted hand a copy of the Old Testament,-
and shall say or repeat after the person administering the oath the words prescribed by law or by the practice of the court, asthe case may be;

(b) in any other manner which is lawful according to any law, customary or otherwise, in force in Nigeria.(2) Where any person taking an oath is physically incapable of taking the oath as provided in the foregoing subsection, he maytouch or hold such copy otherwise, or if necessary, such copy may be held before him by the person administering the oath.

6. Every commissioner for oaths or notary public before whom any oath or affidavit is taken or made under this Act shall statetruly in the jurat or attestation at which place and on what date the oath or affidavit is taken or made.

7. Where an oath has been duly administered and taken the fact that the person to whom the same was administered had, at the timeof taking the oath, no religious belief, shall not for any purpose affect the validity of the oath.

8. Any person who objects to the taking of an oath and desires to make an affirmation in lieu thereof, may do so without being questioned as to the grounds of such objection or desire, or otherwise, and in any such case the form of the required oath shallbe varied by the substitution for the words of swearing, the words, "I solemnly, sincerely, and truthfully affirm that ....";and such other consequential variations of form as may be necessary shall thereupon be made: Provided that in any case where the Oath of Allegiance is to be taken, for the words "truthfully affirm" in this sectionthere shall be substituted the words ' 'truly declare and affirm,"; and the words "So help me God," shall be omitted.

9. Anything to the contrary in this Act notwithstanding, if it appears to a court or officer before whom an oath other than apromissory oath is to be taken or affirmation other than a promissory affirmation is to be made, that the person about to takethe oath or make the affirmation ought not, by reason of immature age or for any other sufficient cause, to be allowed to takethe oath or make the affirmation as aforesaid, it shall be lawful for the court or officer, if the court or officer shall in itsor his free discretion so think fit, to allow such person, in lieu of taking the oath or making the affirmation, to give evidenceor make a declaration without oath or affirmation and in any such case the court or officer shall enter in the minutes of theproceedings or on the instrument or document concerned, as the case may be, a note of the fact of the evidence or declaration havingbeen given or made without oath or affirmation, and of the reasons therefor:Provided that, if any person declining or objecting to take an oath is, in the opinion of the court or officer as the case maybe, competent, to make an affirmation, such person shall, on the court or officer so directing him, thereupon make an affirmationas provided by section 8 of this Act.

10. (1) It shall be lawful for the Chief Justice of Nigeria, a Justice of the Supreme Court, The President and Justices of theCourt of Appeal, and any judge of the Federal High Court, a notary public, and any commissioner for oaths, to administer any lawfuloath or to take any lawful affirmation or affidavit which may be required to be taken or made for the purpose of complying withthe requirements of any law for the time being in force throughout Nigeria or elsewhere, except where such procedure is expresslyor by necessary implication manifestly excluded by the terms of such law as aforesaid and the presumption shall be against anysuch exclusion.

(2) It shall be lawful for any of the persons mentioned in subsection 1 of this section to take any declaration made in the formprescribed in the First Schedule to this Act, in cases where an oath is or has been abolished by any enactment.

11. (1) Any oath or affidavit required for any court or for the purposes of registration of an instrument may be taken or madein any place out of Nigeria before any person having authority to administer an oath in that place.

(2) The provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall apply to any declaration, or affirmation in lieu of oath or affidavitso taken or made. (3) In the case of a person having such authority by the law of a country other than Nigeria, judicial and official notice shallbe taken of his seal or signature affixed, impressed or subscribed to or on any such oath, affidavit, declaration or affirmation.

12. (1) Every Nigerian official of the rank of Secretary or above in a Nigerian Embassy or legation may in any country where heexercises his functions, administer any oath and take any affidavit and also do any notarial act which a notary public can do withinNigeria.(2) Any oath, affidavit and notarial act administered, sworn or done by or before any such person shall be as effectual as ifduly administered, sworn or done by or before any lawful authority in any part of Nigeria. (3) Any document purporting to have affixed, impressed or subscribed thereon or thereto the seal or signature of any person authorisedby this section to administer an oath in testimony of any oath, affidavit or act being administered, taken or done by or beforehim shall be admitted in evidence without proof of the seal or signature of that person, or of the official character of thatperson.

13. It shall be lawful for any commissioner for oaths, notary public or any other person authorised by this Act to administeran oath, to take and receive the declaration of any person voluntarily making the same before him in the form set out in the FirstSchedule to this Act.

14. (1) The President may in writing require the holder of any office to take or affirm the Judicial Oath or the Oath of Allegiance. (2) The President may by order published in the Federal Gazette amend the First and Second Schedules to this Act, and may by thesame or any other order provide that this Act shall apply in relation to persons who are not citizens of Nigeria subject to suchmodifications as may be prescribed.

15. (1) Where a person not a citizen of Nigeria is, while in Nigeria, for any reason required to take the oath of allegiance toNigeria or other oath relevant to his employment, the oath of allegiance shall, upon the termination of his residence or stay inNigeria cease to be binding upon him but any other oath taken shall continue to have effect according to its tenor.

(2) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to the prejudice of the allegiance which any such person may owe irrespective of thetaking of the oath of allegiance for the time being to Nigeria.

16. (1) This Act may be cited as the Oaths Act, and shall, in so far as other provisions to the contrary is not made by any Stateacting within the scope of its legislative authority, apply throughout the Federation. (2) The enactments mentioned in the Third Schedule to this Act are hereby repealed.
(2) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to the prejudice of the allegiance which any such person may owe irrespective of thetaking of the oath of allegiance for the time being to Nigeria.
Short title and repeal.
16. (1) This Act may be cited as the Oaths Act, and shall in so far as other provisions to the contrary is not made by any Stateacting within the scope of its legislative authority, apply throughout the Federation.
(2) The enactments mentioned in the Third Schedule to this Act are hereby repealed.

Schedules

Section 1

FIRST SCHEDULE
OATH OF ALLEGIANCE

I............................................................. swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the FederalRepublic of Nigeria and that I will preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. So helpme God.

OATH OF OFFICE OF PRESIDENT

I..................................................... swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President (or dischargethe functions of the President) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect and defendthe Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the law and that I will devote myself to the service and well-being ofthe people of Nigeria. So help me God.

1976 No. 22

JUDICIAL OATH

I........ swear that in the service of my country in the office of ............................... .
1. I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria at all times.
2. 1 will well and truly exercise the judicial functions entrusted to me and will do right to all manner of people in accordancewith the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as by law established and in accordance with the laws and usage of theFederal Republic of Nigeria without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.
3. 1 will always place service to the nation above all selfish interests, realising that a public office is a public trust.
4. I will always perform my judicial duties diligently and efficiently and will not engage or be involved in any activity in conflicteither directly or indirectly with this pledge.
5. 1 will, in the performance of my judicial duties, eschew corruption in all its facets.
6. 1 will always follow the path of justice, honesty and concord amongst all the people of Nigeria in all I do. So help me God.

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF MINISTERS OATH

I............................................................... being appointed a Member of the National Council of Ministers,swear that I will not directly or indirectly reveal such matters as shall be debated in the said Council and committed to mysecrecy. So help me God.

OATH OF MINISTER

I............................................................... being appointed a Minister of the Government of the Federation,swear that I will at all times well and truly serve the Federation in the office of a Minister; and that I will support and upholdthe Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as by law established; and that I will to the best of my judgment at all timeswhen thereto required freely give my counsel and advice to the President of Nigeria and his successors in office as by law establishedfor the good management of the public affairs of the Federation; and that I will not directly or indirectly reveal any mattersas shall come to my knowledge in the discharge of my duties and committed to my secrecy. So help me God.

OATH OF A PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY

I............................................................... being appointed a Parliamentary Secretary to assist a Ministerof the Government of the Federation, swear that I will at all times well and truly serve the Federation in the office of a ParliamentarySecretary; and that I will support and uphold the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as by law established; and that I will to the best of judgment at all times when thereto required my freely give my council and advice to the Minister withwhom I am or may be associated and his successors in office as by law established for the good management of the public affairsof the Federation; and that I will not directly or indirectly reveal any matters as shall come to my knowledge in the dischargeof my duties and committed to my secrecy. So help me God.
1976 No. 22

OFFICIAL OATH

I hereby solemnly declare, swear and pledge that in the service of my country:-
1. I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria at all times.
2. I will not discriminate on the basis of religion, tribe, cult, or status or practise any form of partiality in the performanceof my official duties.
3. I will always place service to the public above selfish interests, realising that a public office is a public trust.
14. I will always perform my official duties diligently and efficiently and will not engage or be involved in any activity inconflict either directly or indirectly with this pledge.
5. I will, in the performance of my official duties, eschew and expose corruption and will also not corrupt others or aid or abetcorruption in any of its facets in and outside the public service.
6. I will always follow the path of justice, honesty and concord amongst all the people of Nigeria in all I do. So help me God.

OATH OF SECRECY

I.............................................. swear that I will not directly or indirectly communicate or reveal any matterto any person which shall be brought under my consideration or shall come to my knowledge in the discharge of my official dutiesexcept as may be required for the discharge of my official duties or as may be specially permitted by the President. So help meGod.

OATH OF OFFICER OF COUNCIL OF MINISTERS

I................................... being called upon to exercise the functions of .................... to the National Councilof Ministers in the Federation swear that I will not directly or indirectly reveal such matters as shall be debated in the Counciland committed to my secrecy. So help me God.

OATH OF A SENATOR OR A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

I................................................. swear that I will give faithful service to this Parliament and support anduphold the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as by law established. So help me God.

COURT PROCEEDINGS
OATH OF A JUROR

I.......................................... swear by Almighty God that I will well and truly try the issue joined between theFederation of Nigeria and the prisoner at the bar whom I shall have in charge and a true verdict give according to the evidence.

OATH OF ASSESSORS

An assessor is sworn in the same manner as a juryman, except that the words "whom I shall have in charge" are omitted from the oath and for the word "verdict" the word "opinion" is substituted.

EVIDENCE OATH

I.......................................... do hereby swear by Almighty God that the evidence I shall give shall be the truth,the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

INTERPRETER'S OATH
Civil

I.......................................... swear by Almighty God that I will well and faithfully interpret and explain to thecourt (or commission or jury) and the witnesses all such matters and things as shall he required of me to the best of my skilland understanding and that I will truly translate or explain all documents entrusted to me for such purpose to the best of myability, and, except as authorised by the court (commissioners), will not directly or indirectly reveal the contents of such documents as may be entrusted to me, or the evidence given by witness which may have been interpreted by me.

Criminal

I.......................................... swear by Almighty God that I will well and faithfully interpret and true explanationmake between the Court the jury (assessors) the witnesses and the prisoner at the bar according to the best of my skill and understanding.

SHORTHAND WRITERS

I.......................................... swear by Almighty God that I will to the best of my ability take down in shorthandthe evidence and such other matters as shall be required of me and make a true and accurate transcript thereof (and that I willnot without leave of the court (commission) divulge to any person the notes I shall take of the evidence that the witness shallgive to the court (commission) touching matters in question).

VOIRE DIRE

I......................................... swear by Almighty God that I shall true answer make to all such questions as the Court(or as the case may be) shall demand.

STATUTORY DECLARATION

I........................................... do solemnly and sincerely declare that (set out in numbered paragraphs if more thanone matter) and I make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true, and by virtue of the provisions ofthe Oaths Act.

FORM OF ATTESTATION

DECLARED at .................................. in .................................. this ............................ date of............................

Before me
.........................................
Commissioner for Oaths/
Notary Public, etc.

OATH FOR AFFIDAVITS
Form A

I................................................. do hereby solemnly swear by Almighty God that this is my name and handwritingand that the facts deposed by me in this affidavit are the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Form B
BLIND OR ILLITERATE DEPONENT

I................................................. do hereby solemnly swear by Almighty God that the facts deposed by me in theaffidavit are the truth, whole truth and nothing but the truth.

FORM OF JURAT

(a) Where the Commissioner has read the Affidavit to Deponent
SWORN at.................................... in .................................... this ................... day of ...................before me, I having first truly, distinctly and audibly read over the contents of this affidavit to the deponent he being blindor illiterate and explained the nature and contents of the exhibits therein referred to in the....................................language when he appeared perfectly to understand the same, and made his mark (or signature) thereto in my presence.

.........................................
Commissioner for Oaths

(b) Where a third person has read the Affidavit to Deponent
SWORN at .................................. in ................................. this .......... day of .........................before me; and I certify that this affidavit was read over in my presence to the deponent he being blind or illiterate and thenature and contents of exhibits therein referred ............... in the ........ language, when the deponent appeared perfectlyto understand the same, and made his mark (or signature) thereto in my presence.

...............................
Commissioner for Oaths

Form C
DEPONENT PHYSICALLY INCAPABLE OF TAKING THE OATH WITH UPLIFTED HAND

A.B. is that your mark (signature)? You do swear by Almighty God that the contents of this your affidavit are true?

Form of Jurat

SWORN at ...................... in ...................... this ...................... day of ............................ beforeme the deponent A.B. having made his mark to this affidavit in my presence, he being physically incapacitated from writing hisname.

.........................................
Commissioner for Oaths

If the deponent is incapable of affixing any distinguishable mark whatever to the affidavit, the jurat should be as follows-
SWORN by the above-named deponent A.B. at............................ in ......................... this .........................day of ........................ without the deponent affixing thereto any mark or signature, he being physically incapable of sodoing.

Before me
.........................................
Commissioner of Oaths

Form D
INTERPRETER

I swear by Almighty God that I well understand the English language and the ............................. languages and that Ihave truly distinctly and audibly interpreted the contents of this affidavit to the deponent.......... ..........................in the .......................... language and that I will truly interpret the oath about to be administered unto him/her.

Form of Jurat

SWORN at .................................... in .................................... this ............................... day of ............................... through the interpretation of ..................... of (address) the said.....................having first been sworn that he had truly and faithfully interpreted the contents of this affidavit to the deponent.......................and that he truly and faithfully interpreted the oath administered to him.

Before me
.........................................
Commissioner of Oaths

ARMED FORCES OATH
I....................................................... swear by Almighty God that in the service of my country-
1 - I will be faithful and will bear true allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Commander-in-Chief of :he ArmedForces of Nigeria at all times.
2. I will truly and faithfully serve the Federal Republic of Nigeria as by law established as a ........................................................and will as in duty bound so serve for the period of my engagement or re-engagement, as the case may be, and go wherever orderedby land, sea or air and I will observe and obey commands of the Government of the
Federation of Nigeria as by law established and of officers placed over me.
3. I will always perform my duties diligently and efficiently and will not engage or be involved in any activity in conflict eitherdirectly or indirectly with this pledge.
4. I will, in the performance of my duties, eschew and expose corruption and will not corrupt others or aid or abet corruptionin all its facets.
5. I will not discriminate on the basis of religion, tribe or cult or practise any form of partiality in the performance of myduties and will always follow the path of justice, honesty and concord amongst all the people of Nigeria in all I do.
6. I will subject myself to all Acts, Laws, subsidiary legislation and service regulations which now are or shall from time totime be in force and applicable to the Arm in which I am to serve during the period of my engagement or re-engagement, as the casemay be.
So help me God .

.........................................
Signature or mark

SWORN at ................................. this ................................. day of .............................. 19 ....

Before me
.........................................
Signature of Officer

ARMED FORCES AFFIRMATION

The declaration will follow the form of Oath except that the words "swear by Almighty God" are omitted and the words "solemnly, sincerely and truthfully affirm" are substituted.

LOCAL FORCES OATH
(To be taken by all ranks)

I......................... swear that I will bear true and faithful allegiance to the President, Commander-in Chief of the ArmedForces of Nigeria and that I will truly and faithfully serve the Federal Republic of Nigeria as by law established and that I willwhile residing within Nigeria serve in the Local Forces of Nigeria for the defence of Nigeria against all of its enemies andopposers whatsoever, according to the conditions of my service.

.........................................
Signature of person taking oath

SWORN before me this..................... day of .................... 19 .....

......................................................
Signature of person administering the oath

LOCAL FORCES (SUPPLEMENTARY RESERVE) OATH
(To be taken by officers and cadets of the Supplementary Reserve)

I............................................... swear that I will bear true and faithful allegiance to the President, Commander-in-Chiefof the Armed Forces of Nigeria and that I will in Nigeria serve the Federal Republic of Nigeria as by law established againstall its enemies and opposers whatsoever, according to the conditions of my service.

.........................................
Signature of officer or cadet

SWORN before me this..................... day of ..................... 19 .....

......................................................
Signature of person administering the oath

POLICE OATH
(To be taken by superior police officers and inspectors)

I..................................................... swear that I will bear true allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeriaand that I will truly and faithfully obey all lawful commands of the Government of the Federation as by law established and ofany officer set over me whilst I am serving in the office of police officer; and that I will use my best endeavours for the preservationof peace and prevention of crime and the apprehension of offenders against the peace and that I will in all respects to the bestof my skill and knowledge discharge all duties of the said office according to law.

.........................................
Signature or mark

SWORN at ................................. this ................................. day of .............................................19 ......
Before me

...................................................
Signature and appointment of person authorised

POLICE DECLARATION
(To be taken by police non-commissioned officers, constables and recruit constables)

I........................................... solemnly, sincerely and truthfully affirm and declare that I will bear true allegianceto the Federal Republic of Nigeria and that I will truly and faithfully obey all lawful commands of the Government of the Federationas by law established and of any officer set over me, whilst I am serving in the office of police officer; and that I will usemy best endeavours for the preservation of peace and the apprehension of offender against the peace and that I will in all respectsto the best of my skill and knowledge discharge all duties of the said office according to law.

.........................................
Signature of declarant

AFFIRMED and DECLARED at................. the ...................... day

of ............................................. 19 ......

Before me

..........................................................
Signature and appointment of person authorised

Section 2

Second Schedule

Section 16(2)

Third Schedule

Enactments Repealed