Chief Suo Says Denying Women Inheritance Violates Urhobo Customs and Traditions
Chief Suo has declared that Urhobo women have the right to inherit their fathers’ properties and benefit from family lands, challenging practices that exclude women from inheritance within some families.
In a statement addressing questions about women’s inheritance rights under Urhobo customs and traditions, Chief Suo maintained that women are entitled to a share of their fathers’ properties, including family lands.
According to him, the traditional sharing of a father’s properties among his children may give larger portions to the eldest son, the eldest daughter and the youngest child, particularly when the latter is still very young and dependent on the family for care and education.
He explained that while the eldest son may receive the largest share, the eldest daughter is also entitled to a substantial portion of the inheritance.
Chief Suo further noted that the youngest child, whether male or female, may receive a larger share than the other children, except the eldest son, where the child is still at a tender age and requires additional support for upbringing and education.
On the issue of family lands, Chief Suo insisted that Urhobo women should not be excluded from benefiting from land belonging to their families.
Citing his family history, he said his great-grandmother and grandmother were both given family lands, which he presented as examples of women’s access to land under the traditions he described.
He condemned the denial of inheritance rights to women, arguing that families that refuse to share their fathers’ properties or allocate family lands to female members are acting contrary to what he considers the authentic customs and traditions of the Urhobo people.
“If your family refuses to give land to women or refuses to share properties to women, know that you come from a wicked family and not the Urhobo customs and traditions,” Chief Suo said.
His remarks have brought renewed attention to the place of women in inheritance practices and the interpretation of customary rights within Urhobo communities.
The question of inheritance remains an important issue in many Nigerian communities, particularly where customary practices intersect with statutory laws governing property ownership, succession and women’s rights.
Chief Suo’s position underscores the need for continued discussions within Urhobo communities on the recognition of women’s inheritance rights and the preservation of cultural practices that promote fairness and inclusion.
Credit: Chief SUO
