AI agents for business finance: what they can and can't do
What AI agents can do in bookkeeping, close, collections and compliance today, where a person must stay in charge, and how to judge a product.
The short answer
Yes, for most commercial contracts. Section 93 of the Evidence Act 2011 says that where a rule of evidence requires a signature, an electronic signature satisfies it, and the 2023 amendment extended the Act to digital signatures and electronic records. Keep the audit trail that shows who signed and when, and use wet ink for wills, powers of attorney, land documents and filings where a regulator asks for it.
Contracts, quotes and service agreements are now signed by typing a name, drawing on a phone screen or clicking a button. If the other side later denies signing, will a Nigerian court accept it? This explainer sets out the law as summarised by Nigerian law firms, as information, not legal advice.
What the law says
Evidence Act 2011, section 93
Section 93(2), as summarised by Brickmans Law, provides that where a rule of evidence requires a signature, or provides for consequences if a document is unsigned, an electronic signature satisfies that rule. Section 93(3) says an electronic signature may be proved in any manner, including by showing that a procedure existed by which a person had to execute a symbol or security procedure to verify an electronic record.
Evidence (Amendment) Act 2023
The 2023 amendment, as summarised by Omaplex, extended section 84 to "electronic records" and brought digital signatures into section 93. A digital signature is treated as secure where the creation data was under the signer's exclusive control and any alteration to the signature or record can be detected. The amendment also allows affidavits to be sworn by audio-visual means.
Cybercrimes Act 2015, section 17
The Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015 also recognises electronic signatures as binding, according to the same Brickmans Law summary.
Types of e-signature and how strong they are
| Method | Example | Strength of proof |
|---|---|---|
| Typed name or "I agree" in email or chat | Reply "Accepted, Tunde" to a quote | Valid but easy to dispute; relies on the message trail |
| Scanned or drawn signature | Signature image pasted into a PDF | Better with an email showing who sent it |
| E-signature platform | Signing link with email verification and an audit log | Strong: records identity checks, time and document version |
| Digital signature with certificate | Cryptographic signature under the signer's exclusive control | Strongest; matches the "secure" test in the 2023 amendment |
What to keep as proof
Courts admit electronic records under section 84 if conditions are met, including that the device was in regular use, and the party relying on the record usually files a certificate describing how it was produced. Make that easy:
- Keep the final signed file, not only a screenshot.
- Keep the audit trail or certificate from the signing tool (names, emails, times, IP or device details).
- Keep the emails or messages that sent and returned the document.
- Record which version was signed, so no one can argue about later changes.
- Note who in your business manages the system, since they may need to sign the section 84 certificate.
Where wet ink is still the safer choice
The Brickmans Law summary notes that e-signatures are not widely accepted for:
- wills, codicils and other testamentary documents
- powers of attorney
- documents disposing of or conveying land, which also go through state land registries
- certificates of birth, death, marriage, divorce and adoption
- some regulatory filings, where regulators ask for a physical signature on a scanned upload
For land in particular, transfers usually involve a deed, consent and registration at the state land registry, each with its own formal requirements. An electronic agreement to sell may still be evidence of the deal, but the formal transfer documents should follow the registry's rules.
The same article notes that the Corporate Affairs Commission reportedly accepts e-signatures. Check each regulator's current rules before relying on an e-signature for a filing. For banks, account opening and mandate changes follow the bank's own forms.
Setting up e-signing in a small business
You do not need expensive software to sign contracts properly, but you do need a consistent routine:
- Send contracts from one business email address, not from personal accounts.
- Ask the client to sign from an email or phone number you already have on record, so identity is easy to show.
- Send the document as a PDF that cannot be edited, and keep the version you sent.
- When it comes back signed, reply to confirm receipt and save both emails with the file.
- For larger contracts, use a signing platform that issues an audit certificate, and download that certificate as well as the signed file.
Store everything in one folder per client. If the matter ever reaches court, the person who managed that folder can explain how the records were produced, which is what section 84 asks for.
Worked example
Example: an events company sends a ₦2,400,000 service agreement through an e-signature platform. The client verifies their email, signs, and the platform issues an audit certificate with times and the document fingerprint. Months later the client disputes the cancellation fee. The company produces the signed PDF, the audit certificate and a section 84 certificate from the staff member who manages the account. That is far stronger than a WhatsApp "ok" to a photo of the contract.
Where Pryme fits
Signed contracts need payment records to match. With a Pryme Business Account you can send invoices that reference the agreement and issue verifiable receipts with VerifyDoc.ai. See also whether a WhatsApp invoice is valid and evidence for payment disputes.
Questions people ask
Is an electronic signature legal in Nigeria?
Yes. Section 93 of the Evidence Act 2011 says an electronic signature satisfies a rule requiring a signature, and the 2023 amendment covers digital signatures. This is information, not legal advice.
Is a WhatsApp agreement binding in Nigeria?
It can be evidence of an agreement, but a typed message is easier to dispute than a signature with an audit trail. Keep the full chat and use a proper signing method for larger deals.
Can I sign a tenancy agreement electronically?
Many tenancy agreements are signed electronically, but documents conveying land interests go through state registries that may require wet ink. Check before relying on an e-signature.
What is a section 84 certificate?
A certificate filed with electronic evidence describing how the record was produced and the device used, signed by a person responsible for it.
Sources
- Mondaq (Brickmans Law): Admissibility of e-signatures in Nigeria (9 Dec 2021) · accessed Oct 2026
- Omaplex Law Firm: An overview of the Evidence (Amendment) Act 2023 · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.