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The short answer
In Nigeria, the time a lender has to sue for an unpaid loan is set by limitation laws, mostly state laws; for claims on a simple contract the period widely cited is six years from when the debt fell due, though we could not open each state's current text to confirm it. The clock can restart if you acknowledge the debt in writing or make a part payment, and expiry stops a court claim but does not wipe the debt or its credit record.
People with an old loan app debt or a bank loan from years ago often ask whether the lender can still come after them. The answer depends on limitation law, which sets deadlines for bringing court claims. It is a technical area, so treat this article as information and confirm the rule for your state before you rely on it.
How limitation periods work
- They limit court action, not the debt. After the period, a lender who sues can be met with a limitation defence, and the court will usually dismiss the claim if you raise it. The debt is not cancelled; it simply becomes hard to enforce in court.
- The defence must be raised. A court does not always apply limitation on its own. If sued on an old debt, you or your lawyer must plead it.
- Different claims, different periods. Simple contracts, deeds such as mortgages, and claims to recover land are usually treated differently, with longer periods for deeds and land.
- State law matters. Most debts are governed by the limitation law of the state where the claim is brought; federal rules can apply to some claims.
When the clock starts
Time usually runs from when the lender could first sue, which for a loan is generally the date the payment fell due or the date the whole balance became payable after default. For a loan repaid in instalments, each missed instalment may have its own start date unless the agreement made the whole balance due on default.
What restarts the clock
Two things commonly restart the limitation period:
- A written acknowledgement of the debt, signed by you, such as a letter or message admitting you owe it.
- A part payment towards the debt.
This is why some collectors ask for a small "good faith" payment on an old loan. If you want to dispute an old debt, take advice before paying or signing anything that admits it.
Worked example (illustrative dates, assuming a six-year period)
| Event | Date | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Last repayment made | March 2020 | Clock starts when the next payment falls due |
| Next payment due and missed | April 2020 | Six years would run to April 2026 |
| Borrower emails lender admitting the debt | June 2023 | Clock restarts; six years would run to June 2029 |
| Lender sues | January 2027 | In time, because of the 2023 acknowledgement |
Without the 2023 email, a claim filed in January 2027 would be about nine months outside a six-year period that ended in April 2026. The acknowledgement changed the outcome.
Credit records follow their own timeline
A limitation period only affects court action. Credit bureaus keep records under the Credit Reporting Act 2017 and their own rules, and we could not confirm the current retention period while preparing this article. An old default can still appear on your report and affect new borrowing after a court claim has become time-barred. Lenders also continue to report, and digital lenders must furnish data to recognised bureaus where directed (Regulation 25(1)(c) of the FCCPC's 2025 regulations). See how the credit bureaus work and whether a national blacklist exists.
Debts sold or passed to agents
When an old loan is passed to a recovery agency, or sold, the limitation clock does not reset because the debt changed hands. The start date still depends on when the original lender could first sue, and on any later acknowledgement or payment. If an agency contacts you about a very old loan, ask it for the original lender's name, the loan reference, the date of the last payment it has on record and a statement. Our guide to debt recovery agents explains how to verify who you are dealing with.
What a lender can still do after the period
- Ask you to pay. Requests are not unlawful, though harassment is. See what debt collectors can and cannot do.
- Keep or enforce security it already holds, depending on the security and the law.
- Keep the record on your credit report for the retention period.
What to check first
- The date of your last payment and any written acknowledgement since.
- Whether the loan was secured by a mortgage or deed, which usually has a longer period.
- Which state's law applies.
- Whether you have been served with a court claim, which needs a response by its deadline.
Where Pryme fits
Keeping verifiable records helps whatever the outcome. If you repaid from a Pryme account, a verifiable statement through Pryme's partnership with VerifyDoc.ai can show what you paid and when. See verifiable statements.
Questions people ask
How many years before a debt expires in Nigeria?
The period most cited for simple contract debts under state limitation laws is six years from when the debt fell due, but check your state's law. Expiry stops a court claim; it does not cancel the debt.
Can a lender sue me after six years?
It can file a claim, but you can raise a limitation defence if the period has passed and has not been restarted by a written acknowledgement or part payment.
Does paying a small amount restart the debt?
A part payment usually restarts the limitation period. Take advice before paying anything on a very old debt you want to dispute.
Will an old loan stay on my credit report?
It can, for the bureaus' retention period, even after a court claim is time-barred.
Sources
- FCCPC: Digital, Electronic, Online, or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025 (made 21 July 2025) · accessed Oct 2026
- FCCPC: Approvals of digital money lenders register (page updated 3 March 2026) · 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.