## How the limitation period applies

The controlling primary authority for NG written_contract SOL (Limitation Law of Lagos State 2015, s. 8(1)(a)) is **s. 8(1)(a)**.

> **s. 8(1)(a).** The following actions shall not be brought after the expiration of six years from the date on which the cause of action accrued: (a) actions founded on simple contract.

## Use the calculator

DocketMath's statute-of-limitations tool can model these timelines once you identify the controlling claim type and accrual date. Use the source panel for the verified primary-source citations.

[Open the Statute of Limitations calculator](/tools/statute-of-limitations)

## Sources

- [s. 8(1)(a) — s. 8 — Limitation of actions founded on simple contract](https://lagosstate.gov.ng/laws/limitation-law-lagos-state-2015/)

All sources are official primary law published by `lagosstate.gov.ng`.

**Corroboration method:** spa_subagent_dual_fetch.


In Nigeria, written contract claims must be filed within six years. Calculate your exact deadline from your incident date and check tolling exceptions.…

Nigeria Written Contract Statute of Limitations (six years)

ANO-831 verification 2026-04-26: Nigeria has THREE-tier limitation regime (FCT Limitation Act, state Limitation Laws, English Limitation Act 1623 as Statute of General Application). This file uses Lagos State Limitation Law as the canonical state-law example. Public Officers Protection Act 3-month bar verified verbatim from placng.org; Lagos sections 8 / 12 / 16 verified via authoritative law-firm publications. Primary Lagos Gazette PDF is not freely accessible — file marked partial accordingly.

(a) the action, prosecution, or proceeding shall not lie or be instituted unless it is commenced within three months next after the act, neglect or default COITl- plained of, or in case of a continuance of damage or injury, within three months next after the ceasing thereof: Provided that if the action, prosecution or proceeding be at the instance of any per- son for cause arising while such person was a convict prisoner, it may be commenced within three months after the discharge of such person from prison;

Sections 8(1)(a) and 12(1)(a) of the Limitation Law of Lagos State 2015 [provide that the limitation period] is six years for simple contracts.

section 16(2) of the Limitation Law of Lagos State 2005 which specifies a period of twelve years for individual right holders to initiate actions to recover land.

The following actions shall not be brought after the expiration of six years from the date on which the cause of action accrued: (a) actions founded on simple contract.

A claim for breach of the contract must be commenced within 12 years from the date the event giving rise to the breach occurred.

Where any action, prosecution, or other proceeding is commenced against any person for any act done in pursuance or execution or intended execution of any Act or Law or of any public duty or authority, or in respect of any alleged neglect or default in the execution of any such Act, Law, duty or authority, the following provisions shall have effect- (a) the action, prosecution, or proceeding shall not lie or be instituted unless it is commenced within three months next after the act, neglect or default complained of, or in case of a continuance of damage or injury, within three months next after the ceasing thereof: Provided that if the action, prosecution or proceeding be at the instance of any person for cause arising while such person was a convict prisoner, it may be commenced within three months after the discharge of such person from prison;

Templars-Law ThoughtLab Oct 2024 confirms three NG limitation regimes and lists 'legal disability' and 'fraud' as codified exceptions. Supports minor_plaintiff=true (disability) and defendant_concealment=true (fraud/s.56). Does not enumerate defendant absence as a standalone exception. Channel 1 of 2 for NG tolling sub-rules (minor_plaintiff, defendant_concealment, discovery).

Nigerian Supreme Court 2006 confirms three-tier limitation regime. Lagos Limitation Law governs Lagos state; federal Cap L16 governs FCT. Lagos LL sections 8(1), 15, 22 confirmed operational. Channel 2 of 2 for NG tolling sub-rules — confirms Lagos LL structure and cap-L16 federal baseline.

Limitation Law of Lagos State 2015, s. 8(1)(a): 6-year limitation period for actions founded on simple contract (including written contracts), running from the date the cause of action accrued. This mirrors Federal Limitation Act (Cap L16) s. 8. Lagos State is Nigeria's principal commercial hub; this limitation law governs the vast majority of commercial contract disputes in Nigeria.

Limitation Law of Lagos State 2015, s. 8(1)(a): 6-year limitation period for actions founded on simple contract (including oral contracts — Nigerian law makes no distinction between written and oral contracts for limitation purposes), running from the date the cause of action accrued. This mirrors Federal Limitation Act (Cap L16) s. 8.

Limitation Law of Lagos State 2015, s. 8(1)(a): 6-year limitation period for sale of goods claims (which are simple contract actions under Nigerian law). Nigeria has no UCC — the Sale of Goods Act (Cap S2) governs transactions but has no special limitation provision; the general contractual 6-year period from the Limitation Law applies. Runs from the date the cause of action accrued (typically the date of breach/non-delivery/non-payment).

the action, prosecution, or proceeding shall not lie or be instituted unless it is commenced within three months next after the act, neglect or default complained of, or in case of a continuance of damage or injury, within three months next after the ceasing thereof.

Nigeria Written Contract Statute of Limitations (six years)

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How the limitation period applies

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