PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA — The Plateau State House of Assembly, in collaboration with key stakeholders, has initiated a legislative push to protect the inheritance rights of women and girls in the state. The move aims to address longstanding cultural practices that have historically excluded women from inheriting land and property.
A public hearing held at the Assembly complex in Jos on Tuesday, April 14, brought together representatives from the government, judiciary, security agencies, female advocacy groups, traditional institutions, and civil society organizations. The participants voiced strong support for a proposed law designed to ensure women and girls have the legal right to inherit property from their parents and deceased husbands, challenging the prevailing norm that reserves inheritance solely for male children.
Stakeholders described the bill as both timely and transformative, emphasizing its potential to end decades of gender-based discrimination in inheritance practices. The proposed legislation seeks to regulate and safeguard women’s rights to inherit property, benefits, and privileges, marking a significant shift in the state’s legal and cultural landscape.
Hon. Kalamu Idris Gyang, Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary Matters, and Hon. Sylvester Wallangko, Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs, both underscored the urgency of the legislation. Hon. Gyang noted that cultural traditions have long deprived women of their rightful inheritance, despite their significant contributions to family wealth and development. “This bill is for the people of Plateau State. We are very determined to make sure that this bill sees the light of day,” he said. He added that the law would correct existing imbalances and foster societal growth.
Hon. Wallangko described the bill as a solution to deep-rooted societal issues that have caused discord within families. “This particular bill will solve a lot of issues that have bedevilled our society; by the time it is enacted, it will be binding on all of us,” he remarked.
Esther Simi Dusu, Special Adviser on Social Welfare to the Governor, hailed the bill as a pathway to the emancipation and empowerment of women. “This bill is a form of emancipation. It will enable women to access opportunities and express their God-given potential,” she said. She noted that the proposed law aligns with national policy on women’s property ownership and is widely supported across various sectors.
The bill has received endorsements from across different sectors and is expected to mark a significant turning point in addressing gender inequality in inheritance practices and strengthening social justice in Plateau State. If passed, it would represent a major step forward in ensuring that women and girls in the state have equal rights to inherit property, thereby promoting fairness and equity in society.
