Issues in African family law: Nigeria in perspective

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Periodical article

Title:	Issues in African family law: Nigeria in perspective
Authors:	Fatula, O.A. Oyelade, O.S. Adedeji, A.A.
Year:	2011
Periodical:	East African Journal of Peace and Human Rights (ISSN 1021-8858)
Volume:	17
Issue:	2
Pages:	320-342
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Nigeria
Subjects:	women's rights family law law of inheritance
Abstract:	This article examines some critical issues in African family law as they affect women using Nigeria, a multinational state and the most populous state in Africa, as the point of focus. Part one examines succession and inheritance rights under statutory, customary and Islamic laws, while part two examines the law of domicile as it affects African women vis-à-vis their English counterparts. Part three analyses the laws and practices relating to marriages in general, while part four examines divorce. The article in part five examines child custody. The article reveals that all the three systems of law mentioned above have varying standards for treating different issues and situations. That is to say while some women's rights to inheritance are guaranteed under the law, the law itself in some cases bars women from inheriting depending on what law a woman's marriage is subject to. Notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract]