NIGERIAN CELEBRITIES – STAGE NAME VS LEGAL NAME!
Chibuzor Nelson Azubuike, Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie, Chinedu Izuchukwu Okoli, Omoniyi Temidayo Raphael, Samuel Animashaun Perry, Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Ejekwu – Who are these people and what do all these names have in common?
These are the Legal names of some of the biggest artistes in the Nigeria Entertainment space. While some may sound remotely familiar, others may sound totally absurd and ridiculously unbelievable.
Stage names are a common feature all over the world especially for individuals and groups in the creative and entertainment space.
As the muted and subtle struggle between both classes of names rages on, here are some things to note.
1. You cannot get a Driver’s License, National ID or International Passport in your stage name.
2. Flowing from 1 above, your personal bank account details has to match that on your Identity Card thus it follows that you cannot operate a bank account with your stage name.
3. Your contracts that border on your artistic personality can be drawn up in your stage name for example brand sponsorship, music contract etc but it is more tidier if same contains both.
4. Your deed of assignment, certificate of occupancy, car documents and other related legal documents best be in your legal name except in situations where these things are gifts and the responsibility lies with the donor.
It is important to state at this point that in Nigeria, change of one’s name is a process that’s relatively easy. All you have to do basically is –
Depose to an affidavit stating the intention to change your name and reason for the change of name, supporting same with all relevant documents.
A Newspaper Publication notifying the public of the change.
Publish the name change in Nigeria’s Official Gazette.
So next time when you come across your favorite artistes, remember that their stage name maybe nowhere close to their legal name.
Chibuzor Nelson Azubuike – Phyno, Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie – Patoraking, Chinedu Izuchukwu Okoli – Flavour, Omoniyi Temidayo Raphael – Zlatan, Samuel Animashaun Perry – Brother Shaggi, Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu – Burna Boy, Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Ejekwu – Sabinus.
