An Examination of the relevance of customary law marriage in contemporary Nigeria

This work examined the relevance of customary law marriage in contemporary Nigeria, using Yoruba customary law marriage as a case study. The discourse centered on the concept of marriage itself with emphasis on the customary law marriage. The celebration of customary law marriage, the requirements for the validity of same and the process for the dissolution of this form of marriage are equally discussed. A comparative analysis of the Yoruba customary law marriage and statutory marriage is made and this brings to fore one of the fundamental differences between both; the requirements for validity of both. Whereas one requires payment of bride price, formal handing over, capacity and consent, the other requires single status, capacity and consent among others. The work also proffers solutions to the various challenges that customary law marriage faces as well as suggests reforms to these problems. One of such challenges of customary law marriage is the fact that it is difficult to prove its existence. To this, the work suggested the reform of issuance of a certificate for customary law marriage.