A surname can carry history, power, and identity, and for women in the public eye, the choice of whether to keep, change, or combine it after marriage is never just personal. Across Nigeria, some women have proudly kept their maiden names, others have embraced their husbands’ surnames, and a few have fused both into stylish double-barrels. From politics to Nollywood, these choices say as much about identity as they do about love.
Here’s a look at how some of Nigeria’s most prominent women made this personal choice.
1. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
She kept her maiden name “Okonjo” and added “Iweala” after marriage. Today, the hyphenated combination is part of her global brand.
2. Folorunsho Alakija
Born Folorunsho Oyinlola, she took her husband’s surname, Alakija, which is now tied to her identity as one of Africa’s richest and most influential women.
3. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
The award-winning writer kept her maiden surname “Adichie,” a name now instantly recognized in world literature.
4. Aisha Buhari
By adopting her husband’s surname, Buhari, she linked her personal identity with her political role as Nigeria’s former First Lady.
5. Funke Akindele-Bello
During her marriage to JJC Skillz, she famously double-barreled her surname as “Akindele-Bello.” After their split, she reverted to “Akindele.”
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6. Stella Damasus-Aboderin
She once took on “Aboderin” after marriage but later went back to her maiden surname, Damasus, in her acting career.
7. Mo Abudu
She chose to stick with her maiden surname “Abudu,” building her entire media empire around it.
8. Joke Silva
Despite being married to fellow actor Olu Jacobs for decades, she never changed her surname. She has built a respected career in Nollywood solely under “Joke Silva.”
9. Bianca Ojukwu
Born Bianca Odumegwu, she initially adopted the hyphenated form Odumegwu-Ojukwu after her marriage. With time, she simplified her public identity to Bianca Ojukwu, fully aligning her name with the legacy of her late husband, the Biafran leader.
10. Dora Akunyili
Best remembered as the fearless NAFDAC boss, Dora took on her husband’s surname, Akunyili, under which she cemented her legacy in Nigerian public health.
11. Toke Makinwa
After her marriage to Maje Ayida, she briefly carried the name “Toke Makinwa-Ayida.” Following their divorce, she reverted to her maiden name, Makinwa, which powers her brand today.
12. Caroline Danjuma
The actress took her husband’s surname and was widely known as Caroline Danjuma during her marriage. After their separation, she returned to her maiden name, Caroline Hutchings.
