When a customary marriage is dissolved in Nigeria, the distribution of property and assets does not follow the same rules as a statutory (court) marriage. While statutory marriages are governed by Section 72 of the “Matrimonial Causes Act (MCA)” which grants judges wide discretion to divide matrimonial properties equitably, customary marriages are governed strictly by “Native Law and Custom”, subject to constitutional tests of fairness.
Uzochukwu v. Uzochukwu Traditional Vs Statutory Dissolution of Marriage by Lawson Akhigbe
In Nigeria’s plural legal system, a marriage is meant to be dissolved in accordance with the law under which it was celebrated.

