During a 14 July 2010 telephone interview with the Research Directorate, a representative of the Embassy of Nigeria in Brussels noted that there can be many reasons for changing a name, namely, a marriage, a divorce, the death of a spouse, a change of religion, or security concerns. The Representative explained that Nigerian citizens who want to change their name must submit a statement indicating their former and new name and take an oath before a court or the appropriate authorities (Nigeria 14 July 2010). He did not, however, specify which authorities (ibid.). The Representative added that the Embassy of Nigeria in Brussels does not provide this service (ibid.).

Information on the websites of the embassies of Nigeria in Ireland and Hungary indicate that they provide the change of name service (Nigeria n.d.a; ibid. n.d.b). The website of the Embassy of Nigeria in Dublin, Ireland indicates that to change a name, applicants must provide the following documents:

- Embassy ID

- Birth certificate

- Two (2) Passport size photos

- Affidavit for change of name

- Written application for change of name

- Marriage, Divorce or birth certificate (if applicable)

- Photocopies of Nigerian Passport (data page and page 1-5)

- Proof of address (recent utility bill, not more than 3 months old)

- Proof of newspaper advert in Nigeria, where the name change advert was placed. (Nigeria n.d.b)

According to the website of the Embassy of Nigeria in Hungary, the name change will be indicated on the “Observation” page of the passport and applicants must provide the following documents and pay the fees:

- Valid Nigerian passport

- $25 fee (non-refundable)

- Written request addressed to the Consular Department

- Marriage Certificate (where applicable) (ibid. n.d.a).

In addition, the change of name application form of the Embassy of Nigeria in Dublin states that “all former documents [bearing the former name] remain valid” (Nigeria n.d.c).

Further information indicating which organizations provide the name change service in Nigeria could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Nigeria. 14 July 2010. Embassy of Nigeria, Brussels. Telephone interview with a representative.

_____ . N.d.a. Embassy of Nigeria, Budapest, Hungary. “Consular Services.” < [Accessed 12 July 2010]

_____. N.d.b. Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dublin, Ireland. “Change of Name.” [Accessed 12 July 2010]

_____. n.d.c. Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dublin, Ireland. “Change of Name.” [Accessed 12 July 2010]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Attempts made to reach the Nigeria High Commission in Ottawa were unsuccessful.

Internet sites, including: Afrik.com, AllAfrica.com, Education International (EI), Forced Migration Online (FMO), International Organization for Migration (IOM), Jeune Afrique, Migration Policy Institute (MPI), Nigeria ? Embassy of Nigeria in Canada, Nigeria ? Embassy of Nigeria in the United States (US), United Nations (UN) Children’s Fund (UNICEF), UN Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN), US Department of State.