APPRAISAL OF PROPERTY INHERITANCE OF WOMEN IN NIGERIA

Every person has the inherent right to own and possess property because they are members of the human race. In Nigeria, inheritance rights are protected by national and international laws. However, in communities within Nigeria, women who marry under customary law are denied property ownership rights, primarily due to the patriarchal nature of society. The study brings attention to the unfairness of customary inheritance laws that deny widows and daughters their right to inherit their husband‘s and father‘s estates. The study assesses laws and suggests ways to address this problem, ensuring that women in Nigeria can inherit property as they deserve. This study employed doctrinal analysis, utilizing both primary and secondary sources relevant to the research topic. The primary sources applicable to this research included but were not limited to relevant statutes some of which include the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), The Matrimonial Causes Act 1970, Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015 and Wills Act 1837. International instruments relevant to the discussion and reported judicial authorities, were applied. The Secondary sources included but were not limited to law journals, law textbooks, articles by authors and online resources. The study revealed that despite legal frameworks, women from the Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa ethnic groups in Nigeria frequently practice disinheritance, which is discriminatory. Therefore, there is a need to reform and unify customary laws across all ethnic groups in Nigeria, granting women the right to inherit property from their deceased husbands and fathers. Also, the government should support non-governmental organizations that play a vital role in educating and raising awareness among women in society about identifying and eradicating discriminatory gender practices embedded in our customary laws. Achieving this goal requires collaborative efforts from the government, traditional leaders, legal entities, and women‘s rights organizations. Addressing this issue goes beyond fairness; it will empower women economically and contribute to a just and prosperous Nigeria for all. Keywords: Appraisal, Property, Inheritance, Women, Laws