@paschal_47: In Igbo land, it is important to distinguish between traditional customs, family decisions and the law of Nigeria. Some communities have historically favoured male descendants in land inheritance, but that does not mean every such practice is legally valid. A. Land inherited from a deceased father A daughter has a constitutional right not to be excluded from her father's estate solely because she is female. In Ukeje v. Ukeje (2014), the Nigerian Supreme Court confirmed that a customary rule preventing daughters from inheriting their father's estate on the basis of sex is unconstitutional. What this means: Brothers cannot lawfully rely solely on a custom that says, “You are a woman, so you cannot inherit anything from your father.” The precise share and procedure for inheritance depend on the estate, any valid will, and the applicable succession law. Land shared among brothers while excluding their sisters If brothers are sharing their deceased father's estate and deliberately exclude their sisters because they are women, that raises a serious legal issue under the principle established in Ukeje v. Ukeje. A sister who believes she has been unlawfully excluded can seek legal advice about establishing her entitlement and challenging the distribution. She should preserve any relevant evidence, including family documents, land records, wills, meeting minutes and communications about the sharing. Land given to a daughter while her father is alive A father may give land to his daughter, subject to his ownership rights and the relevant land laws. The important questions are whether he owns the land individually or holds it on behalf of the family, whether he has the authority to give it away, and whether the gift was properly completed and documented. Where ancestral land is owned collectively, one family member may not have the authority to give away the whole property without the necessary consent. My advice to Igbo families Our culture and traditions are important, but family traditions should not become a reason to create permanent divisions between brothers and sisters. A daughter remains a member of her father's family even after marriage. Families should handle inheritance fairly, respect lawful rights and resolve disputes peacefully. #IgboCulture #IgboTradition #IgboLand #AncestralLand #WomenInheritanceRights

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Tuesday 20 October 2026 10:23:03 GMT