Thousands of people pass away every year in the United Kingdom without a will or an identified next of kin, including many Nigerians and other Africans. As a result, their estates—ranging from property to savings—remain unclaimed and risk being taken over by the UK government.
Unclaimed Nigerian Estates on the Rise
The UK government’s Bona Vacantia list, which is updated daily, contains over 170 entries linked to African-born individuals, with Nigerians forming a significant portion of these cases.
For many migrants, the UK became a second home where they built wealth, owned property, and established a life. However, without a legally documented will, their assets are categorized as bona vacantia (ownerless property), placing them under the control of the British Crown.
Families in Nigeria and other African countries often remain unaware of these estates, leading to a permanent loss of assets. Cases like those of Adenike Adebiyi, who died in Hackney, London, in 2004, and Solomon Adekanmibi, who passed away in Colchester, Essex, in 2021, illustrate the consequences of dying intestate. With no documented next of kin, their estates remain unclaimed, and their wealth risks being lost forever.
Why It Matters
This situation highlights a major challenge: many African families are unaware of their relatives’ financial affairs abroad. Migration often disrupts communication, and without proper documentation, assets built overseas remain inaccessible.
Beyond financial loss, unclaimed estates also hold cultural and emotional significance. These assets represent personal histories, family connections, and the struggles of migrants who built a life in the diaspora.
Challenges in Claiming Estates
- Lack of Awareness: Many families in Nigeria do not know their relatives have unclaimed estates in the UK.
- Incomplete Records: Many names on the Bona Vacantia list lack sufficient details to trace family links.
- Cultural Barriers: Discussing wills and inheritance is often seen as taboo in African societies, discouraging estate planning.
Steps to Reclaim Unclaimed Estates
If you suspect a deceased relative may have unclaimed assets in the UK, here’s what you can do:
- Check the Bona Vacantia List: The UK government maintains an online list of unclaimed estates. Families can search for names and locations.
- Confirm Eligibility: Only direct relatives—such as spouses, children, siblings, or close family members—can make claims. The UK government outlines a specific hierarchy of entitled relatives.
- Gather Documents: To support your claim, you will need:
A family tree proving your relationship to the deceased.
Birth, marriage, and death certificates.
Personal identification documents.
- Submit a Claim: Contact the UK Government Legal Department’s Bona Vacantia Division with all necessary documents.
- Act Quickly: Claims are generally accepted within 12 years after estate administration is completed (with interest). In some cases, claims can be made up to 30 years after death, though without interest.
Preventing Future Cases of Unclaimed Estates
To ensure assets do not become bona vacantia, Nigerians and other Africans living abroad should take these preventive steps:
Write a Will: Clearly state how your assets should be distributed after your death.
Keep Updated Records: Maintain a record of your assets and ensure a trusted relative knows about them.
Inform Family Members: Make sure your loved ones know about your financial holdings abroad to avoid complications.
