The Federal Government Gazette is the official public journal of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
It is published by the Federal Government Press and is used to announce and permanently record:
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Government regulations and notices
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Appointments and dissolutions
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Legal declarations
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Court-related notices
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Personal legal declarations, such as a change of name
When a name change is published in the Federal Government Gazette, it becomes part of Nigeria’s permanent public legal record. It creates an official government-backed link between a person’s former name and new name.
In simple terms, a gazette entry says to the world:
“The person formerly known by this name is now known by that name, and both names belong to the same legal identity.”
That record can be verified decades later.
The short and honest answer is: No, not in most everyday situations.
In practice, the majority of institutions in Nigeria allow name changes without a Gazette, as long as certain core documents are provided.
What Most Institutions Commonly Require
For most name changes in Nigeria, institutions typically ask for:
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A sworn affidavit of change of name
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A marriage certificate (for marriage-related name changes)
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Or a divorce decree (Decree Absolute) where applicable
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A newspaper publication announcing the change
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Updated National Identification Number (NIN) reflecting the new name
Once your new name reflects on your NIN, many institutions consider the change valid and complete.
Where This Applies
In most cases, the following accept name changes without Gazette publication:
Banks
Banks generally accept:
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Affidavit or marriage documents
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Newspaper publication
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NIN showing the new name
- And in rare cases, Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) approval for complicated modifications
Once your NIN is updated, banks usually proceed without requesting a Gazette.
Nigeria Immigration Service (Passports)
For many passport name changes, Immigration accepts:
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Affidavit, or Marriage documents
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Newspaper publication
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Application letter
- Updated NIN
Gazette is not always requested unless there are discrepancies or previous conflicts.
Schools and Academic Institutions
Most schools and examination bodies accept:
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Affidavit
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Supporting documents
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Newspaper publication
Gazette is rarely mandatory for ordinary academic corrections.
NIMC (NIN)
NIMC does not generally require a Gazette for name modifications.
They typically rely on:
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Affidavit
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Marriage or divorce documents
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Newspaper publication
Once your NIN is updated, many other institutions rely on that record alone.
GET THE DOCUMENTS FOR CHANGE OF NAME
At Publish, we simplify the process of obtaining the documents required to complete your change of name in Nigeria.
You can get started, finish the process in just a few minutes, and receive your affidavit once commissioned at the court. Your newspaper publication will also be finalized in less than 24 hours.
Although the Federal Government Gazette publication is not compulsory for routine administrative updates, it becomes important for legal certainty, identity protection, and high-risk scenarios.
Here are the key reasons people still choose to gazette their name change.
1. Long-Term Identity Protection
A gazette creates a permanent government record that links your old name and new name.
Affidavits can be challenged.
Newspaper publications can disappear or become difficult to verify.
Private records can be lost.
But a gazette entry remains traceable decades later.
This matters when:
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You apply for foreign visas or residency
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You inherit property
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You deal with courts
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You face identity disputes
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You engage in international transactions
2. International and Foreign Institutional Requirements
Many foreign institutions, embassies, and immigration authorities prefer or insist on a government gazette as the strongest form of legal proof of a name change.
This includes:
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Foreign universities
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International employers
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Foreign banks
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Immigration authorities abroad
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Dual citizenship applications
In these environments, an affidavit and newspaper publication may not be considered sufficient.
3. Political and Legal Sensitivity (PDP v. Degi-Eremienyo)
A well-known Nigerian case that highlighted the risks of inconsistent identity records is PDP v. Degi-Eremienyo.
In that case, issues surrounding name discrepancies and identity documentation played a significant role in the legal controversy.
While the case was not strictly about gazette publication, it demonstrated a crucial principle:
In high-stakes legal and political contexts, inconsistent or weak name-change documentation can destroy a person’s legal standing.
A gazette reduces the risk of identity challenges in such scenarios.
4. High-Value Assets, Wills, and Inheritance
If you own property, businesses, or high-value assets, a gazette helps ensure that:
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Your old name and new name are legally connected
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Your ownership history remains clear
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Your heirs do not face disputes later
5. Professional and Corporate Reputation
For public figures, politicians, executives, and entrepreneurs, a gazette provides reputational clarity and legal hygiene.
It prevents future accusations of identity manipulation or concealment.
People often confuse these two.
Newspaper Publication
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Issued by private media houses
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Used mainly for public awareness
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Easy to obtain
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Commonly accepted for administrative updates
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Not a permanent government legal record
Federal Government Gazette
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Issued by the Federal Government
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Legally authoritative
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Permanent and verifiable
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Strongest identity linkage document
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Preferred in courts and international contexts
If you decide to proceed with Gazette publication, here is how it works in practice.
Gazette publication for name changes in Nigeria is handled by the:
Federal Government Press (FGP)
They have major offices in:
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Lagos
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Abuja
You can submit your application personally, through an agent, or a legal representative.
Step 1: Obtain a Sworn Affidavit
This must be issued by a High Court, Magistrate Court, or an authorized legal practitioner.
It must clearly state:
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Former name
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New name
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Reason for change
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Declaration that both names belong to the same person
Step 2: Prepare Supporting Documents
You will typically need:
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Affidavit
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Valid means of identification
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Passport photograph
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Marriage certificate or divorce decree (if applicable)
Step 3: Submit to the Federal Government Press
At FGP Lagos or Abuja, you submit:
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Application letter
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Documents
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Payment
They review, verify, and schedule your publication.
Step 4: Publication in the Federal Government Gazette
Once approved, your name change is published in the Gazette. This is once per week, usually every Thursday.
A typical entry reads:
I, formerly known and addressed as Adebayo Olumide Johnson, now wish to be known and addressed as Adebayo Olumide Williams. All former documents remain valid.
Step 5: Collection of Gazette Extract
You receive a Gazette extract or certified copy for official use.
The cost is one of the main reasons people avoid the Federal Government Gazette for a change of name publication.
As of current practice:
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Direct government cost starts from around ₦160,000 (varies based on schedule)
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Many agents and private gateways charge between ₦200,000 and ₦250,000, with some promising express processing that attracts higher fees
The variation depends on:
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Processing speed
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Agent fees
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Administrative handling
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Backlog volume
The Federal Government Gazette for change of name in Nigeria is not a compulsory step for most people.
In everyday practice, an affidavit alongside supporting documents, a newspaper publication, updated NIN is enough to change your name across most institutions.
However, gazette publication remains the strongest and safest form of legal proof of a name change.
