By Abigail David
Nigerians seeking to change their names on official records may soon need to meet stricter requirements, following a Supreme Court clarification and plans by the National Population Commission (NPC) to strengthen the country’s identity management system.
According to reports, the Supreme Court ruled that an affidavit and newspaper publication alone are not sufficient to effect a legal name change on official government records. The clarification follows the 2021 judgment in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) v. Degi-Eremienyo case, which outlined the need for a more formal legal process.
Here are six key points Nigerians should know:
- Affidavit and newspaper publication may not be enough: While commonly used in the past, these documents alone may no longer satisfy the legal requirements for updating names on official records.
- A Deed Poll is required: A Deed Poll serves as a formal legal declaration of a person’s intention to abandon a former name and adopt a new one. It is typically prepared by a legal practitioner.
- Official Gazette publication is part of the process: In addition to a Deed Poll, publication in the Official Gazette provides official government recognition of a name change, unlike a newspaper announcement, which mainly serves public notice.
- Authorities aim to reduce fraud: The NPC said the previous system had loopholes that could be be exploited through forged or manipulated documents. The planned reforms are intended to strengthen identity verification.
- Digital name-change platform in development: The commission is working on an online platform that will allow applicants to submit requests, undergo verification and receive official approval electronically.
- Identity management is the focus: The reforms are expected to improve consistency across government records, including birth certificates, National Identification Numbers (NIN), passports and other official documents.
The proposed changes do not invalidate affidavits or newspaper publications. However, they indicate that additional legal documentation may be required before government agencies recognise and update a person’s name on official records.
