In light of growing concerns regarding gender disparities in property ownership and financial autonomy in marriages, a lawyer, Oluwatodimu Ige, has offered advice for married women.
Mr Ige’s advice, in this interview, addresses the traditional practice of wives buying property solely in their husbands’ names, and the legal implications of such a practice.
Excerpts:
PT: What are your thoughts on the prevalent practice of married women purchasing landed properties and registering them solely in their husband’s name?
Oluwatodimu: These days, you know, due to information and the position of the law, many people have started tilting away, at least the educated ones. Now, why this is prevalent is because of one: our culture.
There has been an erroneous belief, particularly in some cultures, that a woman should not own property. And, of course, that has been shattered by the landmark case laws that a woman is also a human being and has a right to own property. That is a stride in Chapter Four of the Constitution of Nigeria.
PT: Can you elaborate on the societal and cultural factors contributing to this trend?
Oluwatodimu: Our society and cultural norms lead many to believe women should not own property. This is a significant reason you see many people buying properties and putting them in their husband’s names.
Source: premiumtimesng
