Addressing Unclaimed Estates of Deceased Nigerians in the UK: Legislative Measures for Safeguarding Citizens' Assets Abroad

Abstract

Recently, the UK Government has released a list of unclaimed estates belonging to deceased individuals from different countries, including 58 Nigerians. As of March 26, 2025,1 these estates have been classified as "Bona Vacantia", meaning they remain unclaimed for an extended period and are now considered the property of the Crown. This raises concerns about the rights of potential Nigerian heirs and the role of the Nigerian government in protecting the interests of its citizens. This brief seeks to outline possible legislative interventions by the National Assembly to address this issue.