Why newspaper publications, affidavits may no longer legalise name changes in Nigeria

For millions of everyday Nigerians, personal identity remains a sacred anchor, making any alterations to official names a deeply sensitive and life-altering undertaking. From marriage and relocation to aligning certificates with West Africa Examinations Council Nigeria (WAEC), Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), and National Identification Number (NIN) records, Nigerians frequently adjust their official identities for crucial life events. Aligning bank accounts, pension funds, and Bank Verification Number (BVN) profiles with new identities usually drives thousands daily to seek routine name corrections for seamless financial transactions.

Cultural rebirths and religious conversions also prompt many citizens to discard former names, seeking official recognition that reflects their newly embraced heritage or faith. Normally, citizens simply execute a court affidavit and publish a notice in national newspapers, believing those two steps fully updated their legal identity nationwide. However, this widespread, informal practice leaves severe gaps, leaving public institutions, examination bodies, and financial regulators vulnerable to identity fraud and pervasive record discrepancies.

A Supreme Court decision in the 2021 PDP versus Degi-Eremienyo case highlights Nigeria’s procedures for change of name, correction of, and alteration of name on official documents and records. The ruling stemmed from a Bayelsa governorship election dispute involving alleged false information in Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Form CF001 submitted by the APC candidate. The Federal High Court disqualified the respondent and his running mate under Section 31(6) of the Electoral Act after finding the information false.

While the Court of Appeal overturned the decision, holding that no reasonable cause existed for disqualification by INEC, the appellant appealed further. The Supreme Court subsequently affirmed the Court of Appeal’s judgment and clarified the lawful procedure for changing names on official certificates and records. In its judgment, the apex court held that affidavits and newspaper publications were insufficient for altering official records.

It ruled that only a Deed Poll, approval by the issuing authority, and publication in the Official Gazette could effect such changes. The court noted that the judgment effectively replaced the long-stan…