Deborah Akinyosoye
The Lagos State House of Assembly is taking strides to modernise marriage and divorce laws, with Speaker Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa emphasising the need for legislation that keeps pace with an evolving society and protects both partners and children in marriages.
The commitment was articulated during the second reading of the Marriage and Dissolutions (Except Marriages under the Marriage Act) (Registration) Bill, 2025. This proposed legislation aims to establish a robust framework for registering marriages and their dissolutions (excluding those under the Marriage Act) across Lagos State, ensuring proper record-keeping for administrative, official, and verification purposes.
Currently, unclear documentation often complicates marriage-related legal cases, a point highlighted by Oladipo Ajomale. He believes the bill, once enacted, will significantly simplify these legal processes. Furthermore, it’s expected to aid embassies and foreign missions in verifying marital status for visa applications and standardise marriage records, particularly across the IBILE divisions (Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos Island, and Epe).
Abiodun Tobun lauded the bill as progressive and in line with contemporary standards of marriage regulation. He emphasised that the proposed law would provide both husbands and wives with a clear understanding of their rights within customary marriages, empowering them to enter and exit marriages within the confines of the law. However, he also raised concerns about external interference in marriage proceedings, suggesting the inclusion of penalties for such actions.
Echoing the need for a comprehensive marriage database, Bonu Solomon noted that Lagos State is aligning with global best practices in marriage regulation. He advocated for mandatory court intervention in all marriage dissolutions to ensure legality and fairness. Solomon also proposed that the bill include sanctions for single mothers who end marriages without legal backing and for husbands who shirk their marital responsibilities.
Aro Moshood believes the bill, upon passage, will provide greater legal structure regarding male responsibilities in marriages. He also suggested that the law should accommodate distance marriages, allowing individuals to marry across borders through established legal channels.
Adding a crucial perspective, Omolara Olumegbon underscored the importance of child welfare. She called for the inclusion of provisions for full child support, especially in cases of dissolved marriages, to ensure minors are adequately cared for under the law.
Following the extensive deliberations, Speaker Obasa referred the proposed Bill to the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, Public Petitions, and LASIEC for further legislative scrutiny