AI agents for business finance: what they can and can't do
What AI agents can do in bookkeeping, close, collections and compliance today, where a person must stay in charge, and how to judge a product.
The short answer
A change of name in Nigeria is usually documented in three layers: a sworn affidavit from a court registry, a public notice in a national newspaper, and, where an institution insists, a notice in the Federal Government Official Gazette. The Nigeria Immigration Service lists a court affidavit and a newspaper publication for passport name changes, and the CBN accepts a marriage certificate or affidavit for BVN name changes after marriage.
Nigeria has no single government office that "changes your name". Instead you create a paper trail that proves the old name and the new name belong to the same person, and then you take that trail to each institution that holds your records: the passport office, your bank, NIMC, your employer, your school or professional body. Most people only need the first two layers. This guide explains each layer, who has published a requirement for it, and how to plan the cost without relying on a figure someone quoted on social media.
The three layers and what each one proves
| Layer | What it is | What it proves |
|---|---|---|
| Affidavit | A sworn statement, deposed before a commissioner for oaths at a court registry, stating your old name, new name and reason | That you, under oath, claim both names as yours |
| Newspaper publication | A short public notice in a national daily announcing the change | That the change was made public, so anyone with an objection had notice |
| Official Gazette | A notice printed in the Federal Government Official Gazette | A formal government record of the notice; asked for by some institutions only |
The affidavit comes first because the newspaper notice usually repeats its wording, and the gazette notice usually follows the newspaper. Keep the original stamped affidavit, the full newspaper page (not just a cut-out), and the gazette page or certified extract together. Photocopies are often refused if the original is not shown.
Which institutions ask for which
Requirements are set by each institution, not by a single law. The following are the ones we could confirm on published pages as at October 2026.
Nigeria Immigration Service (passport)
The NIS passports page lists the uploads for a change of name, which it describes as replacement, addition, deletion or rearrangement of names: a birth certificate or age declaration, an application letter, a newspaper publication, a state of origin certificate, a court affidavit and the passport data page, plus a non-refundable administrative charge. For a change of marital status, it lists a marriage certificate, court affidavit and newspaper publication. The page does not mention the Official Gazette. See how to change the name on your passport for the full route.
Applicants processed by the Nigeria High Commission in London are told that a change of name can only be made by virtue of marriage or divorce, and that a change by deed poll is not acceptable. Other missions may apply their own lists, so check the mission that will handle your file.
Banks and your BVN
A CBN circular of February 2016 on BVN record changes allows a name change after marriage with a marriage certificate or an affidavit, and minor misspellings with supporting documents such as an international passport. Where the new name is totally or partly different from the old one, the circular allows the change with documents but says it is reported to the NFIU as suspicious. A later account of the 2021 BVN framework describes name changes for marriage, divorce or religion with a marriage or divorce certificate, an affidavit or a newspaper advertisement. Read the CBN rules on BVN corrections before you visit the bank.
Employers, schools and professional bodies
We could not find a published, official list of private institutions that require a gazette notice. It is commonly reported that some employers, examination bodies and professional registers ask for one, especially where a name change is not linked to marriage. Ask the institution in writing which documents it will accept before paying for a gazette notice you may not need.
Steps in order
- Decide the exact new name and spelling, including the order of first, middle and surname. The NIS and many banks match names in order, so a swapped order is a change.
- Swear the affidavit at a High Court or Magistrate Court registry. The commissioner for oaths administers the oath and the registry stamps the document. Our guide on swearing an affidavit covers this step.
- Publish the notice in a national newspaper. Use the same names and wording as the affidavit; a mismatch between the two is a common reason for rejection.
- If an institution asks for it, arrange the Official Gazette notice and keep the gazette page or a certified extract.
- Update records in a sensible order: NIMC first (because passport and bank checks compare against your NIN), then your BVN through your bank, then the passport, then employers and others.
Planning the cost
We could not verify a current official price for any of the three layers, and they are not set by one body. Affidavit fees are charged by the court registry, newspaper notices are priced by each newspaper by size and day, and the gazette is handled separately. Ask for the price at each counter and keep every receipt. A planning table helps:
| Item | Who sets the price | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Court affidavit | The court (fees differ between courts and states) | The registry counter, before you swear |
| Newspaper notice | The newspaper (size, day, title) | The paper's advert desk or official agent |
| Official Gazette | Not confirmed by us | Ask the institution that requires it how it wants the gazette delivered |
| NIS change of name | NIS (non-refundable administrative charge plus booklet fee) | The passport portal shows the charge before payment |
What to check first
- Does the institution accept a marriage certificate on its own? For a married name, many do, which saves you the other steps.
- Is your NIN already in the old name, the new name, or a mixture? Fix that before anything else; see correcting NIN details.
- Will the institution accept a newspaper page bought from a vendor, or does it want the original copy plus a receipt from the paper?
- Does the institution need the gazette? If no one asks for it, you do not need to buy it.
This guide is information, not legal advice. If your change is not linked to marriage or divorce, or if you have records under very different names, a lawyer can help you plan the order of updates.
Questions people ask
How much does change of name cost in Nigeria?
There is no single official price. The court registry charges for the affidavit, the newspaper charges for the notice and the gazette is separate. Ask at each counter and keep receipts; the NIS portal shows its own charge before you pay.
Is newspaper publication enough for change of name?
For a Nigerian passport, NIS lists both a court affidavit and a newspaper publication, so the newspaper alone is not enough. For a married name at a bank, the CBN circular allows a marriage certificate or affidavit.
Do I need gazette for change of name in Nigeria?
Only if the institution asks. The NIS passports page does not list a gazette notice. Some employers and professional bodies are reported to request it, so confirm in writing first.
Can I change my name on my passport with deed poll?
The Nigeria High Commission in London says a change of name by deed poll is not acceptable and that changes are made by virtue of marriage or divorce. Check the requirements of the office handling your application.
Sources
- Nigeria Immigration Service: Passports · accessed Oct 2026
- Nigeria High Commission London: Requirements for e-passport · accessed Oct 2026
- CBN circular BPS/DIR/GEN/CIR/16/003 on changes to BVN records (24 Feb 2016), RegAlert copy · accessed Oct 2026
- Technext: CBN says BVN remains for life (May 2023) · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.