CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN FAMILY LAW IN NIGERIA: THE DEBATE ON SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

Abstract

According to a classic definition, family law refers to ‘…the body of legal principles governing the relationshipsof husband and wife and parent and Child…’1Globally however, there have been some changes to this definition.The concept of the family has been redefined in some jurisdictions to accommodate certain emergingcontemporary trends. In Nigeria, contemporary issues have also emerged to alter the scope of family law. Thisresearch attempted to highlight contemporary changes in family law globally with particular emphasis to the newconcept of same sex marriages. How have this impacted on Nigerian family law? Is there need for reforms withinthe Nigerian legal system to accommodate this new concept? Are all areas of universal reforms relevant/irrelevantwithin the Nigerian context? The writer concluded that Nigeria must not get carried away by global trends, butmust instead focus on reforms only in so far as they are relevant to its environment, beliefs and culture.