First Trustees Limited, a subsidiary of First HoldCo Plc. and a leading provider of trust solutions to individuals, corporations, and government institutions, has partnered with The Metropolitan Law Firm and Al-Ameen Trustees to host the 8th Annual Islamic Estate Planning Clinic in Abuja. The event brought together prominent experts in Islamic law, finance, and policy.
Under the theme “From Informality to Legacy: Structuring Islamic Wealth Transfer,” the highly anticipated forum highlighted the critical importance for Nigerian families to shift from informal inheritance methods to professionally structured, Sharia-compliant estate planning frameworks. Such frameworks are essential for seamless wealth transfer, safeguarding assets, preventing family disputes, and ensuring legacies are preserved for future generations.
Speakers at the event emphasised the necessity of adopting a structured Islamic estate planning approach to guarantee wealth preservation, minimise legal conflicts, and ensure compliance with both Shari’ah principles and Nigerian statutory law. It was stated that transitioning from informal arrangements to formalised legacies is not just a financial choice but a significant act of stewardship. “By documenting and formalising intentions today, we replace potential family discord with clarity and peace of mind,” they noted.
Rotimi Obende, speaking on behalf of the Managing Director of First Trustees Limited, described estate planning as a sacred duty. “Estate planning is more than documentation—it is stewardship. Informal arrangements expose families to avoidable risks. Structured, Sharia-compliant plans provide clarity, transparency, and true generational protection,” he stated.
He also highlighted the vital role of regulated trustees in ensuring the proper execution of wills and trusts, thereby reinforcing public trust and accountability.
In his keynote address, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, warned against depending on verbal inheritance promises, which often lead to disputes and asset loss. He called for the integration of modern technology, including blockchain, to securely store wills and estate documents and facilitate seamless access, thereby bridging traditional Islamic principles with innovative solutions.
Ummahani Amin, Managing Partner at The Metropolitan Law Firm, added that Islamic inheritance law offers both structure and flexibility. “Individuals can allocate up to one-third of their estate through properly documented wills and trusts. Too many families suffer because intentions were never formally recorded,” she explained.
As discussions advanced, a clear consensus emerged: with today’s increasingly complex assets—including digital holdings, cross-border investments, and intricate business interests—informal inheritance practices are no longer adequate.
Participants agreed that structured Islamic estate planning provides numerous advantages, such as legal certainty, tax efficiency, family cohesion, and long-term wealth preservation.
