Smart contracts are reshaping the way commercial obligations are formed, performed, and enforced by embedding contractual terms into self executing code. As blockchain based transactions gain traction across sectors such as finance, energy, real estate, and supply chains, legal systems are increasingly confronted with questions of validity, intention, and accountability.

In Nigeria, recent reforms under the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 demonstrate an openness to digital commerce through the recognition of electronic documentation and execution, yet the Act remains silent on smart contracts.

This article examines how automated agreements fit within Nigeria’s existing contract law framework, analyses the opportunities they present for a rapidly digitising economy, and explores the legal, regulatory, and practical challenges that must be addressed to ensure enforceability, consumer protection, and legal certainty in an era of code driven transactions.

‍