Free template · Debt recovery

Letter of demand sample in Nigeria

A letter of demand is a formal written request for payment that gives the debtor a deadline, usually 14 days, before court action begins. Below is a free Nigerian sample you can adapt, followed by what every letter must contain and what to do if it is ignored.

What must a letter of demand include?

  • The full name and address of the person or business that owes you.
  • Who you are, and how the money became due: the date, what was supplied or lent, and any promise to pay.
  • The exact amount owed, in figures and in words.
  • The evidence you rely on, such as an invoice, a contract, a bank transfer or messages.
  • A clear deadline to pay, usually fourteen (14) days from receipt.
  • What happens next if they do not pay: proceedings in court to recover the debt, with interest and costs.

Letter of demand sample (Nigeria)

Copy the text below and replace everything in square brackets. Keep it factual and polite: the letter may later be shown to a court.

[YOUR NAME OR BUSINESS NAME] [Your address] [Date] [DEBTOR'S FULL NAME] [Debtor's address] Dear Sir/Madam, RE: LETTER OF DEMAND FOR THE SUM OF ₦[AMOUNT] ([AMOUNT IN WORDS] NAIRA) On [date], at your request, I [supplied / lent / paid] [describe what you gave], and you agreed to pay ₦[amount] by [due date]. This is shown by [your invoice number ___ / our contract dated ___ / my bank transfer of ___]. The agreed date has passed and the sum of ₦[amount] ([amount in words] Naira) remains unpaid, despite my [calls / messages / reminders] on [dates]. I therefore demand payment of ₦[amount] within fourteen (14) days of your receipt of this letter, into [account name, bank and number]. If you fail to pay within that time, I shall commence proceedings against you in court to recover the debt, together with interest and costs, without further notice. Yours faithfully, [Signature] [Your name]

A letter written and signed by a law firm usually carries more weight than one from the creditor. Pandas LP prepares the letter from your details and a licensed legal practitioner reviews and signs it, from ₦10,000. Start here.

How do you send a letter of demand?

  • By hand, with someone who can confirm the date it was received.
  • By e-mail or WhatsApp to an address or number the debtor uses, keeping a screenshot of delivery.
  • By courier or registered post, keeping the receipt.

Keep proof of the date the letter was received: the fourteen days run from then, and a court will want to see it.

What happens if the debtor ignores the letter?

Once the deadline passes without payment, you can take the claim to court. In Lagos State, the Small Claims Court hears claims for liquidated sums up to ₦5,000,000, excluding interest and costs, and the letter of demand is one of the documents filed with the claim, as Form SCA 1 (Lagos State Small Claims Court Practice Directions). In Delta State, the letter must be in the form prescribed as Form SCC 1 under the Delta State Practice Direction on Small Claims 2023. See our guide to recovering a debt at the Lagos Small Claims Court.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Leaving out how the debt arose, or the evidence for it.
  • Demanding a different amount from the one you can prove.
  • Threats or insults: they weaken your position and can be unlawful.
  • Using police, EFCC or anyone else to intimidate a debtor over an ordinary debt. That is not lawful debt recovery.
  • Losing the proof of when the letter was delivered.

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Common questions

Do I need a lawyer to write a letter of demand in Nigeria?

No, you can write your own. A letter from a law firm, signed by a licensed practitioner, is usually taken more seriously, and it is drafted to work with the court forms if the debtor still does not pay.

How long should I give the debtor to pay?

Fourteen (14) days from receipt is the usual period, and it is the period the Small Claims process works with.

Can I send a letter of demand by WhatsApp?

Yes, if it goes to a number the debtor actually uses. Keep a screenshot showing delivery and the date.

How much does a lawyer’s letter of demand cost?

At Pandas LP, a letter reviewed and signed by a licensed practitioner costs ₦10,000, or ₦25,000 if we serve it on the debtor for you.