First Trustees Limited, in partnership with The Metropolitan Law Firm and Al-Ameen Trustees, hosted the 8th Annual Islamic Estate Planning Clinic in Abuja, spotlighting the critical need for structured, Sharia-compliant inheritance planning for Nigerian families.
Themed “From Informality to Legacy: Structuring Islamic Wealth Transfer,” the forum convened experts in Islamic finance, law, and policy to emphasise the importance of moving away from informal inheritance methods toward professionally structured estate plans. Participants highlighted that such frameworks ensure seamless wealth transfer, protect assets, reduce family disputes, and preserve legacies for future generations.
Brandspur Banking News Desk reports that Rotimi Obende, Head of Private Trust at First Trustees Limited, described estate planning as a sacred responsibility. He stressed that informal arrangements expose families to unnecessary risks, while Sharia-compliant plans provide clarity, transparency, and generational protection. Obende also underscored the role of regulated trustees in guaranteeing proper execution of wills and trusts, reinforcing public trust and accountability.
Keynote speaker Professor Isa Ali Pantami, former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, warned against reliance on verbal inheritance promises, citing frequent disputes and asset loss. He advocated integrating modern technology, including blockchain solutions, to securely store wills and estate documents while aligning traditional Islamic principles with innovative practices.
Legal experts including Ummahani Amin, Managing Partner at The Metropolitan Law Firm, emphasised that Islamic inheritance law allows individuals to allocate up to one-third of their estates through documented wills and trusts. She noted that many families encounter conflicts because intentions are not formally recorded.
Panel discussions highlighted the growing complexity of assets, from digital holdings and cross-border investments to intricate business portfolios, making informal inheritance methods increasingly inadequate. Structured Islamic estate planning was shown to provide legal certainty, tax efficiency, family cohesion, and long-term wealth preservation.
The clinic reinforced the message that Sharia-compliant estate planning is both a financial and social imperative, ensuring that families safeguard wealth, maintain harmony, and secure their legacy for generations to come.
