For generations, many women in Nigeria have been excluded from inheriting family property, especially in places like Igboland, where cultural practices denied daughters the right to their father’s estate. However, in 2014, the Supreme Court of Nigeria ruled that these traditions are discriminatory and unconstitutional.

A five-man panel of Justices declared that the practice violated Section 42(1)(a) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees freedom from discrimination based on gender. The court also stated that any culture denying daughters or wives inheritance rights should face strict penalties to serve as a warning to others.

Despite this landmark ruling, many women are still left out of family inheritance due to deep-rooted cultural beliefs. Faith Essien, a Nigerian advocate, is calling on women to demand their rightful share. In a recent Facebook post, she reminded women that they have equal rights to their family’s property, just like their brothers.

Essien encouraged women to speak up and, if necessary, take legal action to challenge discriminatory practices. She emphasized that women must no longer remain silent or accept being excluded from their family’s wealth.

This issue is not just about inheritance—it’s about equality, justice, and ensuring that every woman can enjoy her full rights under the law. The Supreme Court has made it clear: no culture or custom should deny women their rightful inheritance.

Now is the time for women to stand firm, demand their rights, and challenge outdated traditions that discriminate based on gender.

“If your Father owns even a plot of land or a small house and as a Woman, you don’t own a part of it, you should forget about Feminism,” she wrote.  

Everything your Father owns is your right as a woman. Like your full right.

If your father’s house is one room, your brother shouldn’t live there, the house should be rented out and rent shared equally amongst all the children of the family. Or if your brother wants to stay there, he should pay you rent.

Start your equality with the Male in your family. Negotiate peacefully with them, but if they prove stubborn, hire a lawyer and go to court.

The laws of the federal Republic of Nigeria gives you full and equal rights of inheritance as your Male siblings. In the eyes of law, there’s no gender supremacy.

If anybody tells you they will marry you out and as such you don’t deserve a part in your family property, tell all the men that a woman from another family will also marry them.

Family properties are collective efforts of Father and Mother, so why do mothers keep quiet and watch their daughters being cheated??? That nonsense should stop.

If you feel your girl child shouldn’t inherit your property and doesn’t deserve equal treatment as your Male child, Kpai her at birth.

There’s no justifiable reason why any woman should not own equal part of her family property with her brothers.

Dear woman, My advice to you is, as you travel for Christmas, tell your Father and kinsmen that you want a share in your family properties.