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The short answer
Adding, removing or reordering a middle name is treated by NIS as a change of name or data, not a simple renewal: you first update the name on your NIN, then apply with a letter, court affidavit, newspaper publication and supporting documents, paying a non-refundable admin fee (₦30,000 at the Atlanta consulate, naira only). The London High Commission accepts name changes only for marriage or divorce and will not act on a deed poll.
Why a middle name causes so much trouble
Nigerian systems now match names exactly. The London High Commission says your NIN must match the details on your passport "in correct order"; the Atlanta consulate says names and date of birth on the application must be the same as on the NIN, and for children in the same order as on the birth certificate and NIN. The New York consulate's instructions warn that inaccurate names delay applications and may need amendment with a NIN centre. A middle name that appears on one record and not another, or sits in a different position, is enough to stop an application.
It often starts innocently: a baptismal name used at school, a father's name added as a surname abroad, or a foreign passport that puts names in a different order. See when your Nigerian and foreign passport names differ if that is your situation.
Decide which record is right
Before changing anything, decide on the name you want on every document and check each record:
| Record | Where to check | Who changes it |
|---|---|---|
| NIN | NIN slip or NIMC app | NIMC self-service modification |
| Passport | Data page | NIS, through your mission |
| BVN | Bank records | Your Nigerian bank |
| Birth certificate | NPC or foreign certificate | Issuing registry |
| Foreign residence or visa record | Local immigration account | Local authority |
Where possible, choose the version that matches your birth certificate and school certificates. That keeps your evidence chain simple.
Step one: change the name on your NIN
NIMC's self-service portal handles name changes. It lists documents such as a court affidavit, a newspaper extract, a marriage certificate or another government ID. NIMC charges a fee per modification; pay the amount on your invoice. Wait for the updated slip before you touch the passport. For the Nigeria-side detail, see change of name in Nigeria: affidavit, newspaper and gazette.
Step two: the passport change
The NIS passports page lists, for corrections and name changes, a non-refundable admin charge, a letter, a newspaper publication, a court affidavit, a state of origin certificate and the data page. The Atlanta consulate's "change of name/correction of error on request" list asks for:
- A formal letter requesting the change and stating the reason.
- A court order for change of names, and the newspaper publication.
- Copies of previous documents supporting the request.
- A payment slip for the ₦30,000 non-refundable admin fee, payable in naira through passport.immigration.gov.ng/request.
- An application form showing the names exactly as on the NIN.
Adding versus removing
- Adding a name is easiest to support when it already appears on your birth certificate or school records; the passport is simply catching up.
- Removing a name needs the same affidavit and publication, plus a clear statement of the name you will use from now on.
- Reordering (for example moving a middle name to first position) is still a change of data. Make sure your NIN shows the new order first.
Worked example: a baptismal name
This is an example only. Funmilayo was registered at birth as Funmilayo Adebayo, but has used Grace Funmilayo Adebayo at school, on her NIN and on her British documents. Her Nigerian passport still reads Funmilayo Adebayo. Because her NIN already carries the full name in the order she uses, she skips the NIMC step. She swears an affidavit in Nigeria through her brother confirming that Grace Funmilayo Adebayo and Funmilayo Adebayo are the same person, publishes it in a newspaper, pays the change-of-data fee, and applies with her school certificates and NIN slip as supporting evidence. She then updates her UK immigration record with the new passport. Had her NIN shown only Funmilayo Adebayo, she would have changed the NIN first, using the same affidavit and newspaper notice.
Steps from abroad, in order
- Choose the final form of your name and write it down exactly.
- Update your NIN and wait for the new slip.
- Swear the affidavit (in Nigeria through a representative, or abroad if the mission accepts it; see affidavits sworn abroad).
- Publish the notice in a Nigerian newspaper.
- Pay the change-of-data fee, then apply and pay for the passport.
- Attend the mission with the old passport and all originals.
- Update your bank, your foreign immigration record and employer.
For other data errors, see fixing a passport data page error abroad.
Where Pryme fits
Name changes ripple through financial accounts. Pryme accounts can be opened from any country; keep your updated NIN and passport handy, and use verifiable statements if you need to show an institution your account history under the new name.
Questions people ask
Can I add my middle name to my Nigerian passport at renewal?
Not as a simple renewal. NIS treats it as a change of name or data, which needs an affidavit, newspaper publication, supporting documents and an admin fee.
Do I need to change my NIN before my passport?
Yes. The passport application is checked against your NIN, and missions say names must match the NIN in the same order.
Can I use a UK deed poll to add a middle name to my Nigerian passport?
The London High Commission says deed polls are not accepted and it changes names only on marriage or divorce.
How much does it cost to change a name on a Nigerian passport?
The Atlanta consulate lists a ₦30,000 non-refundable admin fee in naira, plus the passport fee and mission charges.
Sources
- NIS: Passports · accessed Oct 2026
- Nigeria Consulate Atlanta: Required Documents · accessed Oct 2026
- Nigeria High Commission London: e-passport requirements · accessed Oct 2026
- NIMC: Self-service modifications · accessed Oct 2026
- Nigeria Consulate New York: passport instructions · accessed Oct 2026
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