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The short answer
A power of attorney given by deed is cancelled by a deed of revocation, which you can sign before a notary in the UK and send home. Because powers over land are registrable in Nigeria, the revocation should be stamped and registered at the same state land registry, and the attorney, banks and anyone dealing with them should be told in writing. A power given for value may be irrevocable until that value is realised, so check that first.
Many Nigerians in the UK gave a relative, friend or lawyer a power of attorney to manage a plot, collect rent, deal with a bank or sign papers at home. When trust breaks down, the job is done, or you simply want control back, you need to end that authority properly. Telling the attorney on the phone is not enough: people who have seen the original power can keep relying on it until they learn it has been withdrawn. This guide explains what a revocation is, how to sign one from the UK and who must be told.
First, check whether the power can be revoked
Not every power of attorney can be cancelled at will. Nigerian practice, as summarised by LawPavilion, treats a power as irrevocable when it was given for consideration (for example, the attorney paid you, or the power secures money owed to them) until that consideration has been realised. A power may also be stated to be irrevocable for a fixed period, usually not more than 12 months, until that period runs out. Simply printing the word "irrevocable" on the document does not make it so.
Read the original instrument before you act and look for three things:
- Whether it is a general power (wide authority over your affairs) or a specific one (a single plot, one account, one transaction).
- Whether it says it was given for money or other value, or to secure a debt.
- Whether it was registered at a land registry, and if so which state and what registration particulars (volume, page or number) appear on it.
If the power was given for value, take advice from a Nigerian lawyer before revoking; a revocation may not bind the attorney and could lead to a dispute. Our guide on when to use a UK solicitor and when a Nigerian lawyer covers who does what.
How a revocation works
According to the same summary, a power can end by express revocation, by implied revocation, or by operation of law (death of the donor ends an ordinary power, though not one that is irrevocable for value). A power granted by deed must be revoked by deed. A later power covering the same matter does not automatically cancel the earlier one, so granting a new attorney is not, on its own, a revocation of the old one.
A deed of revocation is usually short. It identifies you as donor, names the attorney, describes the original power (date, subject matter and registration particulars), states that you revoke it with effect from a stated date, and asks for the original to be returned. It is signed by you as a deed and witnessed.
Signing it in the UK
- Have a Nigerian lawyer draft or check the deed so it matches the original power and the land registry's format.
- Sign it before a UK notary public, who confirms your identity and signature. Our guide to notaries in the UK for Nigerian documents explains what to bring.
- Ask whether the registry or your lawyer wants the notarised deed apostilled by the FCDO Legalisation Office. GOV.UK lists powers of attorney certified by a notary or solicitor among the documents it can legalise; as at October 2026 the standard paper service costs £45 per document and usually takes up to 25 working days, plus postage. Nigeria's treatment of apostilles is covered in our apostille guide.
- Courier the original signed deed to your lawyer in Nigeria; keep a certified copy.
Registering the revocation and telling people
LawPavilion notes that a power of attorney affecting land is a registrable instrument under the states' Land Instruments Registration Laws, that it is stamped before registration, and that an unregistered instrument may be inadmissible in evidence. If the original power was registered, the revocation should be stamped and registered at the same state registry so that a search shows it. Fees and steps differ by state; your lawyer will confirm the current charges.
Then give written notice. The attorney is the first person to tell, but not the only one:
- The attorney
- A copy of the deed and a demand to return the original power and any title documents.
- Banks
- Each bank where the attorney had a mandate, so it can be removed.
- Tenants and buyers
- Anyone paying rent or negotiating a sale through the attorney, with instructions for paying you directly.
- Estate or land officials
- Any community, estate office or developer that deals with the plot.
- Your lawyer
- A file copy, the registration receipt and the courier tracking.
What to check first
- Do you have a copy of the original power, with its date and any registration details?
- Was it given for value or to secure a debt? If yes, get advice before revoking.
- Has the attorney already signed a sale, lease or deed under the power? Revocation does not undo past acts done with authority.
- Who will hold your documents and collect rent once the power ends?
- If you are buying or selling land at the same time, see our guide on signing a deed of assignment in the UK, and run a title check before money moves; title checks in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt are covered separately.
Where Pryme fits
Once the attorney is out of the picture, rent and repairs often need to move directly between you and Nigeria. A Pryme Personal Account holds GBP and NGN with local details for each, and Swap converts only when you choose, with the rate and fee shown before you approve. A verifiable statement from Pryme receipts can help show a tenant or lawyer that payments came to you.
This article is general information about Nigerian practice, not legal advice. Land law and registration rules differ by state, so confirm your case with a Nigerian lawyer.
Questions people ask
Can I revoke a power of attorney without the attorney's consent?
Usually yes, if it was not given for value or to secure a debt. A power given for consideration may be irrevocable until that consideration is realised, so check the original first.
Does giving a new power of attorney cancel the old one?
No. A later power over the same matter does not automatically revoke the earlier one. Sign an express deed of revocation.
Do I need to register the revocation at the land registry?
If the original power was registered, register the revocation at the same state registry so a search shows it. Your lawyer will confirm the stamping and registration fees.
Can I sign the revocation at a solicitor in London?
You can sign before a UK notary public, and the FCDO can apostille a document certified by a UK notary or solicitor. Ask your Nigerian lawyer which certification the registry expects.
Sources
- Power of attorney in Nigeria, LawPavilion blog (Moruff O. Balogun) · accessed Oct 2026
- Get your document legalised (FCDO Legalisation Office), GOV.UK · accessed Oct 2026
- The 1961 HCCH Apostille Convention: why all African countries should ratify it, Conflict of Laws (14 Jul 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.