Polygamy in Nigeria
Under
Nigeria is part of the "polygamy belt", a region in
Practice
As the southern region of Nigeria is composed of mostly
As of 2009, there has yet to be any debate of introducing a measure that would allow for civil polygamous marriages to be recognized within the entire country of Nigeria, letting the legislation play out on a state-by-state basis rather than introducing a nationwide measure.
Dynamics
There are no requirements based on religion in the North, therefore
Despite the four-wife limitation, there have been numerous indications that many Nigerians bypass this law, such as with
On an opposite note, it was reported in April 2007 that a Nigerian lesbian, Aunty Maiduguri, married four women in an elaborate ceremony in
Legality of polygamy by state
Bauchi State
Bauchi State has been the most recent Nigerian state to legislate civil recognition of polygamous marriages for its citizens,[15] which was established after the implanting of Islamic Sharia law on July 1, 2001.
Kwara State
Since the introduction of Sharia law throughout northern Nigeria, various attempts have been made to implant Sharia law into the southern
Lagos State
Polygamous marriages are not permitted as of 2010[update] in Lagos State, which has Nigeria's most populous city, Lagos. Attempts to introduce Sharia law in Lagos State, thereby legalizing polygamy, have been made since early 2002,[17] after a dozen of Nigeria's northern states established Sharia as the governing form of law for Muslims, but not non-Muslims, in these states. The city of Lagos currently has a Sharia court that pertains to civil and legal matters concerning Muslims in the city,[18] though the state does not recognise its rulings as binding, much like the Sharia court in the United Kingdom.
Nasarawa State
Currently, Nasarawa State does not provide for polygamous marriages, though the status could possibly change.[19] Since the legislation of Sharia law in a dozen of Nigeria's northern states, the debate of legislating Sharia in Nasarawa State soon entered the political arena,[20] sparking both outrage and excitement from the residents of Nasarawa State. The introduction of such a measure failed, but was revived in mid July 2005.[21]
Supporters have vowed to continue their attempts to implant Sharia into the state. The state remains one of the few states in Nigeria's north that is not governed by Sharia Law, possibly due to the large Christian population. While Sharia law is currently not implanted, there is a Sharia court that operates in the state, though pertains to Muslims only.
Oyo State
Since May 2002,
Plateau State
Plateau State currently does not recognize polygamous marriages under civil law. Efforts to introduce Sharia law in Plateau State have resulted in several brutal clashes between Christians and Muslims due to strong opposition by the largely Christian population. As of 2018, Sharia law has not been implanted into the state's legal codes.
Zamfara State
After the adoption of Sharia Law in Zamfara State in early January 2000,[23] Zamafara State became the first state in Nigeria to allow for legal recognition of polygamous marriage under civil law, as such is practicable under Sharia, which allows for a man to take up to four wives on the account that he treats them equally. Mahmud Shinkafi, the governor of Zamfara State, has two wives.[24]
After
See also
- Child marriage in Nigeria
- The Church Polygamy[26]
- Polygamy and fertility differentials among the Yoruba and Western Nigerian [27]
- African Polygamy: past and present [28]
- Cultural Sensitivity in Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) Preventive Campaign in Nigeria [29]
General:
References
- ^ Itoro E. Akpan-Iquot. "Traditional marriage in Nigeria: Polygamy". Migerianwomenworld.com. Archived from the original on 30 December 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
- ^ "Analysis: Nigeria's Sharia split". News.bbc.co.uk. 7 January 2003. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
- ^ "Nigeria: Family Code". Genderindex.org. Archived from the original on 3 December 2014. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
- ^ "Polygamy is rare around the world and mostly confined to a few regions".
- ^ "Polygamy is rare around the world and mostly confined to a few regions".
- ^ "Q&A: Sharia in Zamfara State". News.bbc.co.uk. 2 September 2003. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
- ^ "The Unfizzled Sharia Vector in the Nigerian State". Nigerdeltacongress.com. Archived from the original on 20 February 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
- ^ ’KOLA MAKINDE, ABDUL-FATAH. "THE INSTITUTION OF SHARĪ'AH IN OYOAND OSUN STATES, NIGERIA, 1890 - 2005" (PDF). sharia-in-africa. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
- ^ None (2019-08-01). "Understanding the costs of polygamy in Nigeria". www.stearsng.com. Retrieved 2020-05-12.
- ^ "Nigeria". Genderindex.org. Archived from the original on 3 December 2014. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
- ^ LibertySugar. "Polygamy Makes a Mocker of Christians". POPSUGAR Love & Sex. Archived from the original on 12 October 2009. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
- ^ "HOW NIGERIAN MORMONS STARTED PRACTICING POLYGAMY IN NIGERIA". Yeyeolade.wordpress.com. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
- ^ "86 wives not polygamy, Nigeria rules". The New Zealand Herald. October 9, 2008. Archived from the original on February 23, 2013. Retrieved November 3, 2011.
- ^ "Polygamous lesbians flee Sharia". News.bbc.co.uk. 27 April 2007. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
- ^ Okogba, Emmanuel (2017-02-05). "How Masaba died leaving behind 130 wives, 203 children". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2022-11-15.
- ^ a b "Sharia may spread to Kwara, Oyo". Archived from the original on October 24, 2007. Retrieved March 10, 2012.
- ^ [1] Archived February 23, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Sharia Law In Lagos". Ayobami. 8 August 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
- .
- ^ "nigerdeltacongress.com". Nigerdeltacongress.com. Archived from the original on 20 February 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
- ^ "Sharia reintroduced". Nasarawastate.org. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
- ^ "Sharia law 'reaches' Nigeria' south". News.bbc.co.uk. May 2002. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
- ^ "Analysis: Nigeria's Sharia split". News.bbc.co.uk. 7 January 2003. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
- ^ "12 Months, 12 Dazzling Brides, Boundless Joy!". BellaNaija. 11 January 2009. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
- ^ "Analysis: Nigeria's Sharia split". BBC News. January 7, 2003.
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