How To Write A Character Reference Letter

A character reference letter is a short note. You vouch for someone’s character. You confirm honesty, behaviour, and trustworthiness. You write it because you know the person well. Employers, landlords, and schools request it often.

Why This Letter Holds Weight Here

In Nigeria, trust matters a lot. People want to know who you are. A CV shows skills. This letter shows character.

I see it used everywhere. Banks ask for it. Landlords in Lagos ask for it. Courts accept it as supporting document. Churches and mosques request it for membership.

It is not a guarantor’s letter. A guarantor takes financial risk. You don’t take risk here. You only speak about character. Don’t mix both.

It is also not a police character certificate. That one comes from the Nigeria Police Force guidance on background checks. Your letter is personal. Police report is official.

Keep it simple. Keep it honest. Keep it verifiable.

Who Typically Asks You For One

Many people need this letter in Nigeria. Here are real cases I’ve reviewed.

• Graduates applying for entry-level roles at GTBank, Access Bank, Dangote Group
• Corpers reporting to PPA during NYSC posting
• Applicants for teaching jobs in private schools in Abuja or Port Harcourt
• Tenants seeking a flat in Yaba, Surulere, or Wuse
• Students applying for scholarships at UNILAG, UNN, ABU
• People involved in minor court matters in Ikeja, Ibadan, Enugu
• Domestic staff, drivers, nannies, and security personnel seeking work

If you know the person for long, you can write. You must not be a direct family member. Employers prefer non-relatives.

Good writers include:

• A former boss or supervisor
• A pastor, imam, or community leader
• A lecturer, HOD, or dean
• A long-time neighbour or landlord
• A senior colleague at work

When To Use It And When Not To

Use it when character matters more than skill. A landlord cares about honesty. A school cares about discipline. A court cares about behaviour.

Don’t use it to replace a professional reference. If Zenith Bank asks for work history, give that. Don’t give only character note.

Don’t use it if you barely know the person. You will struggle to defend it. And don’t write for someone with fraud history you know about.

Check the request first. Some organisations state who must write it. Some want a clergyman. Some want an employer. Follow that instruction.

For legal, immigration, or sensitive banking cases, treat this as general info. Always check the latest rule from the relevant authority. I can’t give legal advice here.

Type of Letter	What It Proves	Who Writes It	Common Use in Nigeria
Character Reference	Personal character, honesty, conduct	Someone who knows you personally	Rent, jobs, bail support, school
Professional Reference	Work performance, skills, reliability	Former employer or supervisor	Bank jobs, corporate roles, NYSC PPA
Guarantor’s Letter	Financial responsibility, will cover loss	High-level staff, director, senior civil servant	Loans, employment, tenancy, travel

Information You Must Include

Keep it brief. One page is enough. Anything longer bores the reader.

You must include these:

• Your full name and contact details
• Your relationship with the person
• How long you’ve known them
• Positive traits you’ve observed
• One or two real examples
• Your clear recommendation
• Date and signature

Don’t add NIN, BVN, or bank details. Don’t add irrelevant family history.

If you use letterhead, that’s good. Company letterhead adds weight. But it’s not compulsory for personal references.

Section	What To Write	Nigerian Example
Opening	Who you are, who you recommend	“I am Mrs. Adeyemi, HOD at FGGC Sagamu”
Connection	How you know them, for how long	“I taught Chidi for 3 years at UNN”
Character Traits	2-3 traits with proof	“He returned N50,000 overpayment at our shop”
Recommendation	Direct yes or no	“I recommend him for the role”
Closing	Offer to be contacted	“Call me on 0803… for confirmation”

Step-By-Step Instructions That Work

I reviewed many letters. Good ones follow same flow. Bad ones ramble.

1. Confirm you can vouch. If you can’t, decline politely.
2. Ask for the person’s full name. Ask where the letter goes.
3. Ask for deadline and submission method. Email? Hard copy?
4. Write on letterhead if you have one. If not, plain A4 is fine.
5. Start with date and recipient. Use “To Whom It May Concern” if no name.
6. Introduce yourself in one line. State your role.
7. State how you know the person. Add duration. Be specific.
8. Give 2 traits with short stories. Real stories win.
9. State your recommendation clearly. Don’t be vague.
10. Close with contact and signature. Add phone number.
11. Proofread. Remove long grammar. Keep it short.

Use short sentences. Avoid big English. HR officers in Nigeria skim fast.

I tell writers, write like you talk. Say “She is honest” not “She exhibits unimpeachable probity”.

Complete Nigerian Sample For Employment

This is for a bank support role. It’s realistic. It works for many corporate jobs.

[Your Letterhead or Your Name & Address]
12, Bode Thomas Street, Surulere, Lagos
0803 123 4567 | tunde.balogun@email.com
23rd August, 2025

The Hiring Manager
Human Resources Department
Access Bank Plc
Lagos

Dear Sir/Madam,

Re: Character Reference for Miss Blessing Okoro

I am Mr. Tunde Balogun. I manage a supermarket in Surulere. I write for Blessing Okoro.

I have known Blessing for four years. She worked as cashier in my store. She worked from 2021 to 2023.

She is honest and diligent. She handled daily cash of over N400,000. We never recorded shortage under her. She also trained two new staff.

She is respectful with customers. She stayed calm during rush. She never fought with anyone. She came early always.

I trust her with money and responsibility. I recommend her for your Customer Care role. She will add value to your team.

You can reach me on 0803 123 4567. I am happy to confirm further.

Yours faithfully,

Mr. Tunde Balogun
Manager, T-Best Supermarket, Surulere

[Signature]

Notice the style. Short lines. Specific figures. No fluff. That’s what reports on employment screening in Nigeria show recruiters prefer.

Alternative Sample For Tenancy Or Court Support

This second sample fits tenancy, church, or low-level court support. It is not legal advice. For court, always check with your lawyer first.

[Your Name & Address]
House 4, Unity Estate, Enugu
0806 987 6543
10th May, 2025

To Whom It May Concern

Re: Character Reference for Mr. Emeka Nnaji

I am Pastor Chinedu Okafor. I lead Grace Family Church, Enugu. I know Emeka Nnaji personally.

I have known Emeka for six years. He is a member of our church. He serves in welfare unit.

He is peaceful and responsible. He mediates conflicts in our estate. He helped settle a dispute between two neighbours last year. He is also faithful with contributions.

He lives with his wife and child. He pays his dues on time. He keeps his surroundings clean. Neighbours respect him.

I recommend him as a tenant and law-abiding citizen. He will be a good neighbour.

Please call me on 0806 987 6543 for any check.

Yours sincerely,

Pastor Chinedu Okafor

[Signature]

This works because it shows community ties. Landlords in Nigeria love that. It matches what you see in tenancy and guarantor requirements discussions online.

How To Submit Or Send It Properly

Submission differs by organisation. Always follow their instruction.

• Corporate jobs: PDF upload on portal. Keep file under 1MB.
• Banks: Often require signed hard copy with stamp.
• Schools: Email to registrar or HOD with application number.
• Tenancy: Give printed copy to agent or landlord. Attach ID copy if asked.
• Court: Your lawyer submits it. Don’t submit alone.

If sending by email, use clear subject. Example: “Character Reference – Blessing Okoro – Cashier Role”. Attach as PDF. Don’t send as body text only.

If sending hard copy, print and sign. Use blue ink. Add your phone number. Some firms will call you. Be ready.

Where You Submit	Format They Prefer	Extra They May Ask
Private Company in Lagos	PDF via email	Company letterhead, phone number
Landlord / Estate Agent	Printed and signed	Your valid ID card, recent bill
School / Scholarship Board	PDF + hard copy	Stamp, matric number of student
Court / Police (supporting)	Through lawyer	Affidavit, your ID, contact address

Never pay anyone to write this letter. If someone asks for money, it’s likely fraud. Legitimate referees don’t charge.

What Happens After Submission

After you submit, they verify. They may call your referee. They may ask one question. “Do you know her?” That’s it.

For jobs, HR may keep it in file. It may not decide the job alone. Skills still matter more.

For tenancy, landlord may visit your referee. Or he may call. Estate agents in Abuja now do WhatsApp verification.

For court, judge may read it. It doesn’t guarantee outcome. It only supports character. Your lawyer will guide you.

Keep your referee informed. Tell him you submitted. Tell him who may call. This avoids embarrassment.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

I’ve seen many bad letters. I, David Atulegwu, reviewed them myself. These errors cost people chances.

• Writing too long. Two pages for character reference is too much.
• Using big grammar. It looks fake and copied.
• No real example. Just “He is good” means nothing.
• Writing for family. Father writing for son lacks weight.
• Forgetting contact details. How will they verify you?
• Adding BVN, account number, or NIN. Never do that.
• Claiming you are EFCC or army without proof. Don’t impersonate.
• Copying templates word for word from internet. HR knows them.
• Dating letter wrongly. Use current date always.
• Not signing. Unsigned letter is useless.

Also avoid foreign procedures. In Nigeria, we don’t use notary public for simple character letter. We don’t need apostille for local rent. Keep it local.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I write for a friend?

Yes, if you’ve known them long. But state how you know them. Don’t hide friendship. And add facts.

Must it be on letterhead?

No. Letterhead helps. But plain paper works for personal references. Just add your details.

How long should it be?

Half page to one page. About 150 to 250 words. Short is better.

Can I email it?

Yes. Many firms accept PDF. Save as PDF, not Word. Sign before scanning.

Do I need to swear affidavit?

Not for most jobs or tenancy. For court, your lawyer may ask for affidavit. Check with them.

Can my pastor write for me?

Yes. Pastors, imams, traditional rulers are accepted. Especially for tenancy and school.

What if I just relocated?

Use your former landlord or employer. Explain your move. Provide phone number that works.

Is it same as attestation letter?

Similar but not same. Attestation often confirms residence or identity. Character reference confirms behaviour.

Final Practical Advice From My Desk

I tell readers this often. Your name is on that letter. Protect it.

Only write what you know. Don’t exaggerate. If you say “He never lies” and he lies at work, your name suffers.

Keep a copy of every letter you write. Save date and who you gave it to. You may need it later.

If someone asks you to write, ask questions. Why do they need it? Where will it go? This helps you tailor it.

For applicants, don’t forge a referee’s signature. Companies in Lagos now call. Banks in Nigeria verify strictly. You will be blacklisted.

And for referees, be reachable. Keep your phone on for two weeks after writing. A missed call may cost your person a job.

This guide is practical help. It is not legal or financial advice. For court, employment law, or immigration, consult a qualified professional or the relevant official body. Always confirm current requirements directly.

If you follow these steps, you’ll write a clean, believable letter. It will work in Enugu, Kano, Ibadan, or Port Harcourt. Keep it short. Keep it true.