As Nigeria continues to navigate the complexities of economic growth and development, strategic estate planning has become vital to securing the country's financial future. Effective estate planning ensures that hard-earned wealth is preserved and transferred efficiently, minimising potential conflicts and ensuring family harmony.

Unfortunately, many Nigerians overlook this critical aspect, leaving their loved ones vulnerable to unnecessary conflicts and financial uncertainty. While specific statistics on the number of Nigerians without a will are unavailable, it's clear that proactive wealth management is essential in addressing the widening wealth gap in Nigeria.

Consequences of Neglecting Estate Planning

Failure to plan one's estate can have far-reaching consequences, including:

1. Family disputes and conflicts

2. Wealth mismanagement and depletion

3. Unnecessary taxes and penalties

4. Loss of business continuity

5. Inadequate provision for dependents

Benefits of Strategic Estate Planning

Effective estate planning offers numerous benefits, including:

1. Peace of mind for individuals and families

2. Preservation of wealth and legacy

3. Minimized taxes and penalties

4. Ensured business continuity

5. Protection of dependents' interests

A Call to Action

To address the estate planning deficit in Nigeria, we must prioritise financial literacy and education. The government, financial institutions, and individuals must collaborate to promote awareness and understanding of estate planning principles.

Coronation Trustees Limited's Commitment

At Coronation Trustees Limited, we recognise the significance of strategic estate planning in securing Nigeria's financial future. Our upcoming webinar, "Securing the Future: Strategic Estate Planning for Wealth and Legacy," brings together experts to discuss the intricacies of estate planning and provide actionable insights for individuals and families.

Policy Initiatives

To support financial literacy and education, we recommend the following policy initiatives:

1. Mandatory financial education in schools

2. Tax incentives for estate planning

3. Simplified probate processes

4. Increased access to trust and estate planning services

Conclusion

Strategic estate planning is critical to securing Nigeria's financial future. By prioritising estate planning, we can ensure that our hard-earned wealth is preserved and transferred efficiently, minimizing potential conflicts and ensuring family harmony. Join the conversation by registering for our webinar on November 7th, 2024. Register via https://bit.ly/CTLWebinar1.

About the Author

Yemi Sadik is the Managing Director of Coronation Trustees, a leading trust and estate planning service provider. 

Yemi is a seasoned Corporate and Commercial Lawyer with over a decade of expertise in regulated and non-regulated capital market transactions. He holds an LLB from the University of Glamorgan, Wales, and an LLM in Corporate and Commercial Law from the University of Southampton, England. He is also a qualified Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

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