No Law Requires a Divorced Woman to Drop Her Ex-Husband’s Surname

Contrary to popular belief, there is no Nigerian law forcing a divorced woman to relinquish her ex-husband’s name. After divorce, she can choose to keep her married name, revert to her maiden name, or adopt a new one. This decision rests entirely with her, not with society or her ex. Name changes only become an issue if there is fraud, misrepresentation, or a specific court order. Many women opt to keep their married name for their children, career reputation, or simply by personal preference. Nigerian law supports this freedom of identity.

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