When billionaire heiress Temi Otedola changed her last name to Ajibade after marrying singer Mr. Eazi (Oluwatosin Ajibade), it sparked heated debate online. Why give up a powerful name like Otedola, a name that carries prestige and opens doors both locally and globally?
For some, it was a romantic gesture and a sign of unity. For others, it was viewed as abandoning one’s identity or bowing to outdated patriarchal expectations.
But beyond social media opinions and celebrity headlines, is it mandatory for Nigerian women to change their surnames after marriage? The answer: No neither by law, religion, nor traditional culture. Here’s a breakdown of the legal, religious, and cultural perspectives.
There is no legal requirement in Nigeria for a woman to change her surname after marriage. According to the Marriage Act and other legal statutes, a woman has full autonomy over her name. She can choose to keep her maiden name, adopt her husband’s surname, or even hyphenate the two.
Some institutionslike NYSC or health insurance providers may request documentation reflecting a name change as evidence of marriage. But this is merely administrative, not a legal obligation.
Bottom line: Changing your surname after marriage in Nigeria is a personal choice, not a legal requirement.
Religiously, Islamic teachings do not require a woman to take her husband’s surname. In fact, scholars stress the importance of preserving one’s lineage. None of Prophet Muhammad’s wives took his name; they retained their father’s names.
Qur’an – Surah al-Ahzab (33:5):“Call them by [the names of] their fathers; it is more just in the sight of Allah…”
A hadith in Ibn Mājah (2599) also warns against falsely attributing oneself to another lineage.
Conclusion: In Islam, women should retain their father’s name to preserve family lineage. Taking a husband’s surname is not encouraged but may be culturally tolerated provided it doesn’t mislead.
Christian tradition often uses marriage as a metaphor for unity mirroring Christ’s relationship with the Church. Some interpret this unity to mean a woman should adopt her husband’s surname.
Ephesians 5:23:“For the husband is the head of the wife…” However, the Bible does not explicitly command name changes. Most Christian leaders agree it is a cultural preference, not a scriptural mandate.Conclusion: While taking a husband’s surname is common in Christian communities, it’s not a biblical requirement
Before colonial influence, Nigerian cultures did not require women to change their surnames after marriage.Igbo Culture: Women kept their father’s names and were even buried in their natal homes.Yoruba Culture: Children were first identified by their mother’s name before any reference to the father.
Author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who kept her maiden name after marriage, has spoken about this:
“In pre-colonial Igbo culture, women didn’t bear their husband’s surname… British colonisation changed that.” Expressions like “Kolawole ọmọ Ajiun, aya Adisa olobi” (Kolawole, child of Ajiun, wife of Adisa the palm-wine tapper) show that maternal identity was once central in Yoruba naming traditions. The widespread practice of adopting a husband’s name was introduced through colonial and Western norms, not indigenous tradition.
Professional Identity: Celebrities, professionals, and politicians often maintain their maiden names due to public recognition.Family Heritage: Daughters from prominent or wealthy families may want to preserve their lineage name.Feminist Ideals: Some women choose to keep their name as a stance against patriarchy and gender-based expectations.
Notable Nigerian women who retained or hyphenated their surnames:Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala,Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Joke Silva
Administrative Simplicity: Matching surnames can simplify banking, travel, or child registration.Family Unity: Sharing a name can symbolize togetherness and family bond.Social Norms: To avoid criticism or constant questions, some women adopt their husband’s name for societal ease.
In Nigeria, changing your surname after marriage is not mandatory not legally, religiously, or culturally. While some men may expect it and society may nudge in that direction, the choice ultimately belongs to the woman.
Whether you keep your name, change it, or combine both, what matters is that the decision reflects your personal values, identity, and mutual respect in your marriage.
