Why Every Young Nigerian Should Care About Writing a Will, Before It’s Too Late

Why Every Young Nigerian Should Care About Writing a Will, Before It’s Too Late

Dying without a will in Nigeria triggers a maze of legal systems that decide who inherits your property. Here’s why even young, single Nigerians can’t afford to ignore estate planning.

In Nigeria, death is a topic many people avoid. Among young, single Nigerians, the very idea of writing a will often sparks discomfort or nervous laughter. “Why should I write a will? I’m not rich, married, or old,” is the common refrain. But this thinking hides a dangerous truth: the law doesn’t wait for your age, income, or relationship status to decide who inherits your belongings.

Ayokunmi Alabi, a dispute resolution lawyer, warns that the belief that “wills are for the wealthy or terminally ill” is widespread but risky. “There is the age-long misconception that writing a will means the person wants to die,” he says. “Nigerians, being averse to negativity, would rather not talk about the subject because they believe it may even hasten death. Well, no one lives forever; it’s better to plan for death while still alive.”

 

Why young Nigerians can’t afford to wait

The truth is simple: if you die without a will, the Nigerian legal system, not your parents, siblings, or best friend, decides how your assets will be shared. This process is called dying intestate. And it doesn’t just apply to houses or millions in the bank. Your laptop, savings account, car, furniture, and even personal effects will be divided according to the law.

 

What makes this more complicated is Nigeria’s unique legal framework. Three different systems, statutory law, customary law, and Islamic law, can govern how your property is distributed. Which one applies depends on your religion, ethnicity, or the type of marriage (if any) you entered into. Each system follows different inheritance rules, and the outcomes can vary dramatically.

 

For example, under statutory law, which generally applies to Christians or those married under the Marriage Act, parents and siblings inherit if you are single and childless. A court must issue a “Letter of Administration” before your estate can be touched, a process that can freeze accounts for months.

Under customary law, rules differ by tribe. Among the Igbo, the principle of primogeniture means inheritance often flows to the eldest son. Daughters and widows may have little or no claim. In Yoruba tradition, property may be divided “by tree” (idi-igi) or “by heads” (ori o jori), depending on the family’s choice, potentially leaving some siblings with far less than others. Among non-Muslim Hausa/Fulani communities, male heirs are still often favored.

 

For Muslims, Islamic (Sharia) law provides clearer but inflexible rules. Fixed fractions are assigned to parents, siblings, and extended relatives. A Muslim can only bequeath one-third of their property freely, while the rest must be distributed strictly according to Qur’anic guidelines.

 

The silent risks of dying intestate

Dying without a will invites chaos. Families often battle in court over even modest assets. Savings accounts can remain frozen for years. Loved ones may face sudden financial hardship while they wait for legal approvals. Worse, cultural biases in customary systems can leave women, children, or dependent relatives without the support they need.

 

“Having a will avoids certain pitiable eventualities,” Alabi explains. “It protects your heirs, property and loved ones when you are not there.”

 

Writing a will is easier than you think

Contrary to popular belief, creating a will doesn’t require owning property worth millions. A will simply records your wishes, who gets your gadgets, savings, furniture, or even your social media accounts. It can also name an executor to handle your affairs and guardians for dependents, if any.

 

Young Nigerians can draft a will through a lawyer or even a legally valid handwritten document, provided it’s signed and witnessed. Costs vary, but lawyers say it’s far less expensive than leaving your loved ones to battle in court.

Take control of your future

Estate planning isn’t about expecting death; it’s about protecting life after yours. Whether you’re a student with a savings account, a tech worker with valuable gadgets, or an entrepreneur building a startup, the assets you own deserve clarity. And your loved ones deserve peace.

 

The question isn’t if you need a will, but why you’d risk leaving your future, and your family’s, up to chance.