In a bid to widen access to legal authentication services, the Lagos State Judiciary has formally admitted 130 lawyers into the rank of Notaries Public.
The mass induction, which took place on Tuesday, is part of ongoing efforts to improve the speed and availability of notarisation services in Lagos, a state with heavy demand for certified documents driven by commercial, legal and international dealings.
The swearing-in ceremony was conducted at noon in the Ikoyi courtroom of the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem O. Alogba, and was attended by members of the Bar, judicial officials and other stakeholders in the justice sector.
Officials said the exercise was carried out pursuant to the Notaries Public Act, 2023, which seeks to overhaul notarisation procedures, expand coverage and curb delays that have long affected document authentication in the state.
According to the judiciary, the appointment of additional notaries reflects a deliberate push to enhance efficiency and bring essential legal services closer to residents and businesses.
Among the new appointees is Barrister Somadina Eugene Okorie, a Lagos-based legal practitioner, who described the induction as seamless and professionally managed. He said the role comes with increased responsibility to uphold integrity and serve the public effectively.
Industry analysts believe the expanded pool of notaries will help decongest existing offices and shorten turnaround time for affidavits, certifications and other notarised documents across Lagos.
