How to Change Your Name Legally in Nigeria for Less Than ₦20,000—No Agent, No Lawyer, No Wahala
Hey there! If you've ever thought about changing your name but dreaded the hassle and cost, this post is for you. Believe it or not, many Nigerians pay hefty fees to agents and lawyers for something you can do yourself—quickly, affordably, and legally. Today, I’m breaking down exactly how to change your name in Nigeria in less than two weeks for under ₦20,000, with zero stress.
Sounds too good to be true? Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through the entire process step-by-step.
First Things First: What You Need to Know
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has made it clear that simply swearing an affidavit and publishing your new name in a newspaper isn’t enough to officially change your name on important records like school certificates. The key legal steps are:
- Swearing a Deed Poll at the High Court
- Publishing your new name in a national newspaper
- Having your new name published in the Official Nigerian Gazette
Many agents skip the official Gazette step, which is why some people have to do this twice. But you? You’re going to do it once and do it right.
RELATED ARTICLE: Guide to Obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy in Nigeria
Step 1: Swear a Deed Poll at the High Court
Head to the Registry department of any High Court near you and tell them you want to swear a Deed Poll for a name change. Your affidavit should be in your own words—simply stating that you are changing from your old name to your new name and why.
Cost: Approximately ₦2,000 to ₦5,000 depending on the court.
Step 2: Publish Your New Name in a National Newspaper
After swearing your Deed Poll, place a change of name announcement in any national newspaper like The Guardian, Punch, or The Nation. This acts as public notice of your new identity.
Cost: Around ₦5,000 to ₦10,000 depending on the paper.
Step 3: Gazette Your New Name
This is the crucial step many people overlook. Apply to the Department of Production Publication and Documentation at the Federal Ministry of Justice to have your new name printed in Nigeria’s Official Gazette. In Abuja, their office is at Plot 71B Shehu Shagari Way, Maitama. You can also check their website for details.
Cost: About ₦5,000.
Step 4: Update Your Documents
Once you have your Deed Poll, newspaper publication, and Gazette copy, you can update all your official documents—bank accounts, NIN, international passport, driver’s licence, and even academic certificates where applicable.
ALSO CHECK: Nigerian Police Complaint Filing Guide
Good news: From 2026, electronic affidavit systems (e-Affidavit) are available at Abuja and Lagos High Courts, making Step 1 faster and more convenient.
Breakdown of Costs
- Deed Poll at High Court: ₦2,000 to ₦5,000
- Newspaper publication: ₦5,000 to ₦10,000
- Gazette publication: ₦5,000
- Total: ₦12,000 to ₦20,000 max
No agents, no lawyers, no inflated fees. Just you and your documents following these exact steps.
Who Cannot Change Their Name?
A quick heads-up: you cannot change your name to escape debts, financial liabilities, or criminal responsibilities. It’s also illegal to change your name to mislead or commit crimes. You must be at least 18 years old to initiate the process yourself; for children, a parent or guardian must do it.
Your name is your identity. If it no longer suits who you are, the law offers a straightforward, affordable way to make it right. So why pay extra and get caught up in unnecessary hassle when you can do it yourself?
Here’s to reclaiming your identity the smart way!
Written by Wisdom Ugochukwu Lambert for Legal Advice Articles on Gossiphome TV.
Post a Comment