Chinedum Treasure
The first Nigerian Catholic Priest to become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Very Rev Fr Prof Edwin Obiora, JSD, SAN, on February 13, 2026 delivered the 6th inaugural Lecture Series of the
Tansian University, Umunya in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Delivering the Lecture, titled “Obfuscation of Primogeniture Syndrome and Dethronement of Ergonomic Organogram of the ‘Diokpala’ in Nigerian Law of Succession, Inheritance and Distribution of Estate”, Obiora described primogeniture as the state of being the first born child (generally male) among siblings”.
The cleric, recently elevated to the rank of Professorship in the Faculty of Law of the institution said jurisprudentially, the term “connotes the common-law right of the first born son to inherit his ancestor’s estate, usually, to the exclusion of his younger siblings.
The Professor of Property Law, among other things noted that the primogeniture syndrome has been seriously degraded, if not totally vanquished and obfuscated, by the continued democratization of society.
Obiorah, who is also the Chancellor and BoT Chairman of the university, explained that “with the unyielding application of the ‘Repugnancy Test’, statutorily established under Section 18(3) of the Evidence Act, 2011, and the resuscitation of the ‘Right to Acquire and Own Immovable Property’ anywhere in Nigeria, as enshrined in Section 42 and 43 of the 1999 Constitution, the era of primogeniture began to fade into oblivion, if not completely obscured or obliterated.’
“Women married under the ‘Marriage Act’ now have the right to own private property, Currently, even women married under the ‘Native Law and Custom’ can now own landed property and fully deal with land on their own names, Widows now have the right to inherit their deceased husband’s landed property or estate.
“A female child, whether married or single, can now inherit her father’s estate like her male siblings. The customs of ‘nrachi’ or ‘ili ekpe’ are now null and void.
“The custom of a woman marrying another woman to rear children for her deceased husband or family is now abolished,’ he emphasized.
Speaking separately, Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Eugene Nwadialor and Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, Prof Cater-Dike Umeoduagu described inaugural lecture as one of the debts a Professor owes the University and the larger society, which they said helps in shaping narratives.
They commended the lecturer for deep research works and also for delivering on a core societal issue, which they said had incessantly torn families apart and pitched siblings against another.
