In an interview with Premium Times, lawyer Oluwatodimu Ige addressed the prevalent practice of married women purchasing properties solely in their husbands’ names and the potential drawbacks of this tradition.
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Ige emphasized the importance of women asserting their legal right to own property and urged them to register properties in their own names.
Ige highlighted the societal and cultural factors contributing to this trend, such as the patriarchal nature of society and the misconception that women who own property are overbearing. He stressed that these biases hinder women’s financial independence and empowerment.
“The significant fallout and drawback is that when you register a property in somebody’s name, it automatically belongs to that person,” Ige explained. “If a woman buys a property in her husband’s name and intends to seek a loan from the bank, the bank will only give that loan to her husband because the property is registered in his name.”
Ige also discussed the legal implications of property ownership in a husband’s name, particularly in cases of divorce or the husband’s death. He emphasized that the name on the property document is the legal owner, regardless of who contributed to the purchase.
When asked about joint property ownership, Ige advised couples to clearly communicate their intentions and ensure that each person’s name is on the title documents according to their financial contributions. He also suggested alternative approaches, such as setting up a trust or incorporating a company where both spouses are shareholders.
Looking ahead, Ige anticipated a gradual shift in attitudes towards property ownership among married women as awareness grows about their legal rights. He called for further education and empowerment initiatives to eliminate the bias against women owning property.
Ige’s advice serves as a reminder for married women to prioritize their financial security and assert their legal rights in property ownership.
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