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Civil LawFebruary 11, 2024

Official Change of Name in Nigeria: The Legal Procedure You Must Follow

The Supreme Court has clarified the official procedure for change of name in Nigeria. Deposing to an affidavit and newspaper publication is no longer sufficient for an official change of name.

STOP GOING TO DEPOSE TO AN AFFIDAVIT AND DOING NEWSPAPERS PUBLICATION FOR OFFICIAL CHANGE OF NAME BECAUSE THAT PROCESS DOES NOT MAKE THE CHANGE VALID.


The Supreme Court in the case of P.D.P. v. Degi-Eremienyo gave the actual procedure for change of name, correction of name and alteration of name in Nigeria.


If you do not follow the procedure, then you have not done official change or correction or alteration of names.


Now, to officially change your name in Nigeria, you must follow the following steps:


1. You must sign a Deed Poll


A Deed Poll is a Deed of Change of Name.


  • A Deed Poll is a legal document made and executed/signed by only one person in the presence of at least two witnesses and the two witnesses must also sign it.

  • A Deed Poll will be prepared by a lawyer, meaning you will need the services of a lawyer for the drafting.

  • Once the deed poll is signed by the person who wants to use it, it becomes binding on the person and shows an intention to change, correct or alter names and use a new name for all purposes.

    • 2. Approach the Department of Publication, Nigerian Civil Registry


    This can be found at the National Population Commission with the signed Deed Poll to have the change of name published in the official gazette and for record purposes.


  • A Gazette is an official publication of the Federal or State Government in which official information such as notices and other legal matters are reported.

  • Once it is published in the Gazette, it gives credibility and acceptance of the change of name and serve as a notice to the whole world.

    • 3. Get a copy of the gazetted change of name


    Get a copy as evidence of change of name and keep safely.


    This is now the procedure for change of name, correction of name and rearrangement of name.


    Important Note:


    This means that the former procedure of deposing to an affidavit and newspapers publications does not amount to official change of name anymore.


    Some banks are also taking note of this requirement now so when you go for change of name at the bank, they will ask you to go through this procedure.


    The judgment also hold that those who have used affidavit and newspapers publication for change of name have actually not done official change of name.


    Yours is unofficial!


    Before you talk about changing your surname after marriage now, be prepared for these procedures...

    Case Reference

    PDP & Ors v. Degi-Eremienyo & Ors, Supreme Court of Nigeria, SC.1/2020, judgment delivered 26 February 2020