The Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission has intensified its statewide advocacy on women and girls’ inheritance rights, taking its sensitisation campaign to the Central and Southern zones of the state.
The engagement, organised in collaboration with the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), brought together traditional rulers, religious leaders, women and youth representatives, and other community stakeholders. The forum forms part of the Commission’s broader drive to strengthen public understanding and support for the proposed Inheritance Rights Bill and reforms aimed at improving women’s access to housing, land and property.
Chairperson Advocates Justice, Equity
In her keynote address, Acting Chairperson of the Commission and Special Adviser to the Governor on Gender, Barr. Olivia Dazyam, described the campaign as a defining moment in Plateau State’s pursuit of justice, equity and inclusive development.
She commended the Plateau State Government for prioritising gender inclusion and social justice, noting that issues affecting women, children and vulnerable groups now occupy a central place in governance.
Dazyam also applauded the Plateau State House of Assembly for advancing the proposed Inheritance Bill to second reading, describing the development as a bold step toward addressing long-standing discriminatory inheritance practices.
According to her, the bill is not an attack on culture or religion but a reaffirmation of justice, compassion and shared responsibility values deeply rooted in faith and tradition.
She highlighted cases of widows being dispossessed of matrimonial homes, daughters denied inheritance because of their gender, and orphaned children forced out of family properties. Denying women access to housing, land and property, she said, deepens poverty, destabilises families and weakens community development.
“When women have secure rights to property, families are more stable, children are better protected and communities prosper,” she stated, urging traditional and religious leaders to support reforms and encourage dialogue ahead of the public hearing on the bill.
Lands Commissioner Outlines Legal Backing
The Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Town Planning, Barr. Peter Nyam Gai, represented by Deputy Surveyor-General Yilcit Adeyanju, presented the legal and policy framework guiding land ownership in the state.
He emphasised that constitutional provisions and relevant state laws guarantee every citizen including women the right to own property, stressing that discriminatory customary practices have no legal standing and undermine economic development.
Participants were encouraged to utilise existing legal protections and engage appropriate government institutions to secure property rights for women and girls.
PLASMIDA Links Land Ownership to Economic Empowerment
The Plateau State Microfinance Development Agency (PLASMIDA) also underscored the economic importance of land ownership for women. Represented by Ulan Andong, Head of Research and Training, on behalf of Director-General Bonkam Wuyep, the agency described land as security, identity, capital and leverage for economic participation.
The presentation identified barriers such as high registration costs, bureaucratic delays, cultural resistance and limited awareness as major obstacles to women’s access to property.
PLASMIDA highlighted ongoing advocacy efforts with development partners to reduce land registration costs, fast-track documentation processes and conduct radio sensitisation campaigns on women’s land rights.
NRC Pledges Continued Support
Victor Ayara, Coordinator of NRC’s Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA) Project, commended Plateau State for confronting harmful cultural practices that deny women inheritance and property rights.
He disclosed that NRC is supporting the free processing of Certificates of Occupancy for women, noting that significant progress has already been recorded. Ayara reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to sustained partnership with the Commission to advance housing, land and property rights across the state.
Community Dialogue and Clarifications
During the interactive session, some participants raised concerns based on customary beliefs, arguing that women traditionally relocate after marriage and therefore should not inherit family property.
Responding, Dazyam clarified that inheritance is a legal right and that marriage does not extinguish a woman’s entitlement to family property. She stressed that joint property descriptions such as “Mr and Mrs” may not provide adequate legal protection for women, advocating for individual ownership documentation to safeguard women in cases of separation, displacement or widowhood.
Commitment to Ongoing Engagement
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to sustained sensitisation and dialogue across all zones of Plateau State. It emphasised that lasting reform will require continuous engagement, legal literacy and strong partnerships with traditional and religious institutions to protect the rights of women, girls and other vulnerable persons.
