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There are several factors that people consider in
choosing their next of kin. Here are some responses by Nigerians to the
question “Who is your Next of Kin?”

Florence Dottie A business woman (Married)

“I chose my husband as my next of kin because he
should be the first person to know whatever happens to me. The meaning of next
of kin is someone that can be reached quickly in case of any emergencies or
issues and that person to me is my husband. And he is the closest person to
me.”

Oluwatuyi Oluwole A business man (Single)

“My younger sister is my next of kin. I chose her
because we are very close and I think she is the only person I can trust for
now, as I am not married. All my documents such as my life insurance policy and
bank details have her as my next of kin although she is not aware of this.”

Mrs. Sobo A banker (Married)

“My first son is my next of kin because he is the
heir. If I choose my daughters, they will get married one day and their
husbands could take over all that they have and family property will then end
up in a strange family. I can never choose my husband; that’s how he will go
and marry again and the woman will use all my property to benefit her own
children and neglect mine.”

Chike (Trader)

“I will put my brother. I know him well – we grew
up together. I wouldn’t make my wife my next of kin, though I love her so much.
If I put one of her children, she will influence them. Women can change. It is
better to be safe than sorry.”

Mrs. Danlami (Teacher)

“My daughters are my next of kin. If you notice,
female children always look after their parents in old age. Your daughter will
never abandon you even if she marries and lives far away. Woe, betide you if
your son marries a wicked woman. You are finished.”

Mr. Johnson (Taxi driver)

“Ah! I will put my first son. I expect him to
take care of all the family if I am not there. I can never put my wife – that’s
how she will go and marry and then some other man will be enjoying all my sweat
and blood. Just the thought that she might be enjoying my money with another
man after my death puts me off.

Mrs. Erinle (Lawyer)

“It depends. I can put my husband down but I have
to watch him closely for some years. I will look at how he behaves. If I see
that he is unfaithful, and I can no longer trust him, I will take him off and
put my sister.”

Mr. Iyamabo (Teacher)

I have already put my father – he is very wise
and can only do what is right for me. He will make sure my wife and children do
not suffer.”

Ekaete A trader (married)

“My husband is my next of kin. We love and trust
each other and are building everything together. He was there before any
children came, so whatever affects me will affect him. I am sure he too will
choose me as his next of kin.”

The word ‘Kin” in the traditional sense means
family, which apart from a spouse and children goes on to include the extended
family, parents, siblings, cousins, uncles, aunts, and so on. The term
“Next-of-kin” is rather ambiguous and is usually used to describe a person’s
closest living blood relative. In its broadest sense it indicates the person
who should be notified in case of any eventualities of life such as an
accident, emergency or death. It also has implications as to who would be
legally entitled to a deceased’s property where there is no will.

At some time or the other, you have probably had
to fill a form or some other documentation where you had to clearly state your
next of kin. Many people don’t take this designation seriously and sometimes
even forget whom they designated as time goes by. This is an important issue
particularly where the documentation you are completing relates to money
matters such as investments in stocks, real estate, banking transactions,
insurance transactions and so on.

If you were to die intestate, that is, without
leaving a will, your property won’t simply pass to your spouse as you might
think; strict rules rank your next of kin and your property will be distributed
according to laws of intestacy.

If there is no will, or other credible document
in place, then this is likely to be the order: If you are married, it would be
your spouse. If you are a single parent or are widowed, your children will be
your next of kin. If you are unmarried and without children, your parents will
be legal heirs to your estate; your property will be distributed to siblings
and other close blood relatives, if your parents are deceased.

In Western culture, the choice of the spouse as
next of kin, is the most obvious one as the mother of his children is generally
the person in whom a man places the most trust. It is more common in Nigeria,
however, for a man to choose his brother as next of kin. In the event of your
death making your wife your next of kin will save her and your children a lot
of hardship given our extended family system where other family members often
forcefully claim their brother’s property. There are numerous examples of
widows having to cope with not only the loss of their spouse, but also of all
their personal possessions and property.

Bear in mind that the status of next-of-kin does not in any way imply that
those designated stand to inherit any of the individual’s estate in the event
of their death. It is only by having a valid will in place that you can protect
your immediate family including your wife and children and ensure that your
investments and property do not go into wrong hands after your death.