Repatriation from Nigeria: step by step
A clear guide to each stage of the process, from the first phone call through to your loved one's arrival home.
Bringing someone home to a particular country? Find the guide for your route or send us the details. We arrange repatriation to any country.
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The repatriation process from Nigeria
Each step must be completed in sequence. Your repatriation coordinator manages the process, but knowing what to expect reduces uncertainty.
Timeline
How long does the process take?
Best case
14 days
Natural death, no post-mortem, documentation issued quickly.
Typical case
21-28 days
Most repatriations from Nigeria fall within this range.
Complex case
35+ days
Post-mortem, inquest, criminal investigation, or remote location.
What can extend the timeline
- NPC death certificate (5-14 days)
- State Ministry of Health export permit (7-14 days)
- Limited forensic capacity outside Lagos/Abuja
- Post-mortem required for violent/suspicious deaths
Common questions
Frequently asked questions about repatriation from Nigeria
Allow 21-28 days for a straightforward case from Nigeria. Where nothing is contested it can be done in 14 days. Where a post-mortem or a police investigation has to conclude first, expect 35+ days.
There is no standard figure, and quoting one before we know the case would be misleading. The cost of bringing someone home from Nigeria moves with the place of death, whether an investigation has to finish first, the paperwork required, and which flights carry remains on that route. Tell us what happened and we will come back with a figure, with no obligation.
The official Nigerian death certificate is issued by the National Population Commission (NPC). This is separate from the hospital medical certificate and can take 5-14 days to obtain. It is the legally recognised death certificate for international purposes.
British Airways operates direct Lagos (LOS) to London Heathrow flights with cargo capacity. Virgin Atlantic also serves Lagos-Heathrow direct. Abuja (ABV) has fewer direct cargo options; many repatriations transit Lagos. Human remains must be in a hermetically sealed zinc-lined coffin.
A post-mortem is required for violent, sudden, unexplained or suspicious deaths, conducted by a government pathologist. Forensic pathology capacity is concentrated in Lagos and Abuja; deaths in other states face longer delays due to limited capacity.
City guides
Repatriation from specific cities in Nigeria
Route guides
Repatriation routes from Nigeria
Each route guide covers the documentation, timeline and process for one corridor from Nigeria, written for the family at the receiving end.
Start the process today
Our team handles every step of repatriation from Nigeria. Send an enquiry and we will explain what happens next and prepare a quote for bringing your loved one home, to the UK, Ireland or any other country.
Reviewed by the Repatriate Service editorial team. Information sourced from UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) guidance, official embassy contacts, and professional repatriation experience. Facts last checked September 2026; page updated .
Sources: FCDO gov.uk · Embassy contacts: Nigeria · Frequently asked questions