For millions of Nigerians, changing an official name is often tied to significant life events, including marriage, relocation, educational record alignment, financial documentation, cultural identity, or religious conversion. However, according to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), a landmark Supreme Court judgment has clarified that the long-standing practice of relying solely on a court affidavit and newspaper publication is no longer sufficient to legally alter names on official records.
The clarification stems from the Supreme Court’s decision in the 2021 PDP v. Degi Eremienyo case, which arose from a Bayelsa State governorship election dispute involving allegations of false information submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to the report, while the Federal High Court had initially disqualified the APC candidate and his running mate under Section 31(6) of the Electoral Act, the Court of Appeal overturned the decision. The Supreme Court subsequently upheld the appellate court’s judgment but used the opportunity to clarify the lawful procedure for changing names on official certificates and government records.
The apex court ruled that an affidavit and newspaper publication alone do not constitute a valid legal basis for altering official records. Instead, it held that a valid Deed Poll, approval by the relevant issuing authority, and publication in the Official Gazette are the legally recognised requirements for effecting a change of name on official documents.
The judgment effectively replaces the long standing informal practice that many Nigerians have relied upon for decades and extends to official records maintained by government agencies, particularly those under the National Population Commission (NPC) through the National Civil Registry.
Under the clarified procedure, an applicant must first engage a licensed lawyer to prepare a Deed Poll, which bears the lawyer’s official seal. Once signed, the document becomes legally binding and signifies the individual’s intention to adopt a new name for all official purposes.
Thereafter, the applicant is required to write a formal application addressed to the Chairman of the National Population Commission and submit both the application letter and the signed Deed Poll to the commission’s Legal Department. At present, such applications are processed through the NPC headquarters in Abuja.
The Supreme Court’s decision has sparked widespread public discussion, particularly on social media, where posts suggesting that “change of name is no more newspaper publication” have generated significant attention.
Reacting to the development, an official familiar with the commission’s operations disclosed that the National Population Commission is currently digitising the entire change of name process to improve efficiency, transparency and authentication.
The official explained that although July 1 had initially been proposed as the commencement date for the digital platform, the commission is still finalising the operational framework before nationwide implementation.
He noted that the previous manual system, which relied largely on affidavits and newspaper publications, was susceptible to loopholes, manipulation and document forgery.
According to him, the new system will enable applicants to process change of name requests online by submitting a Deed Poll prepared by a licensed lawyer through the NPC digital platform. Upon successful verification and approval, applicants will receive an official certificate confirming the change of name.
The official added that NPC offices across the country, including the Lagos State office, are awaiting directives from the commission’s headquarters in Abuja regarding the rollout of the digital process.
Another NPC official, who requested anonymity, said the commission would communicate all requirements, procedures and operational guidelines to the public once the platform becomes fully operational.
The official stressed that the digitisation initiative is aimed at strengthening document authentication, eliminating fake change of name documents and improving the integrity of Nigeria’s identity management system.
Commenting on the development, Tech, Privacy and Human Rights Advocate, Mr Chukwuemeka Dike, described the Supreme Court’s clarification as a welcome development.
According to Dike, a person’s name is a fundamental component of their identity and should not be altered through procedures that are easily susceptible to abuse.
He explained that unlike an affidavit, a Deed Poll is a legally binding declaration executed by an individual, making it a more reliable instrument for establishing and protecting one’s legal identity.
The new legal framework is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s identity management system, reduce identity fraud and ensure greater consistency across government databases and official records.
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