Improved Female Customary Land Inheritance Necessary for Accelerating Socio-Economic Development in South East Nigeria

Abstract

Customary land inheritance is a major avenue for land acquisition in Nigeria. Culturally, Nigeria is predominantly a patriarchal society with inheritance mainly devolving along the male lineage, the womenfolk being largely excluded especially as regards land inheritance. The study documents the extent of male/female imbalance among the Igbo ethnic group of South East Nigeria, one of the three most populous in the country. In order to drive balanced, accelerated and sustainable socio-economic development, suggestions are proffered for necessary cultural, legislative and legal adjustments to improve the status quo, including amendment of and better implementation of the Land Use Act.

Keywords: Nigerian customary female land inheritance, improvement.