Women’s Inheritance Rights in Nigeria: An Analysis of the Legal Gaps and Reform Prospects

Abstract

Despite constitutional guarantee of gender equality and the existence of other various legal frameworks, women in
Nigeria face significant barriers to inheriting property either from their father or even from their husbands. This
paper examined the legal frameworks governing inheritance rights in Nigeria, whilst identifying the gaps and
challenges that perpetuate gender-based discrimination. The paper also analyzed the customary and religious
practices as well as the international human rights law in order to identify the gaps and challenges. It also
evaluated the proposed legal reforms, policy changes to promote gender equality and protect women’s inheritance
rights. The paper adopted the doctrinal research methodology whilst the approaches included narrative, descriptive
and expository. The research highlighted the need for comprehensive legal and advocacy aimed at addressing
gender-based discrimination in inheritance rights, awareness creation amongst the womenfolk on their inheritance
rights, promoting women’s economic and social empowerment as well as their well-being.