Widows and Inheritance Hijacking Practices in Ilara Mokin, Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

In Africa, tradition drives household relations, its possibilities and challenges. This paper examines the effects of inheritance hijacking practices of Ilara Mokin people in Ondo, Nigeria on widows’ wellbeing. It used qualitative method to collect primary data. Twenty in-depth interviews were conducted with participants who were purposively selected. Data were content analysed. Findings show that inheritance hijack significantly weakens widows’ economy in Ilara Mokin community. The study concludes that inheritance hijacking is a culturally disapproved harmful practice which destabilises the economic security of Ilara Mokin widows. It suggests that public policy should equalise gender benefits such that no individual suffers any deprivation of legitimate inheritance entitlement on the basis of gender status.