In a troubling development for the Nigerian diaspora community in the United Kingdom, it has been revealed that hundreds of Nigerians and other Africans who passed away without leaving a will risk having their estates permanently seized by the UK government. As of 2025, more than 170 cases involving deceased individuals with potential Nigerian heritage remain unclaimed on the UK Government’s official Unclaimed Estates list.
This urgent issue is not only a legal and financial matter—it’s also a call to action for families who may unknowingly be entitled to inherit valuable property, cash, pensions, or other assets left behind by loved ones. If no claim is made within a specific time frame, the British Crown will legally absorb these assets through a process called “Bona Vacantia”—Latin for “ownerless goods.”
Access Life-Changing Travel UPDATES on TRAVUL.org Community & Connect With Fellow Travulers: (www.travul.org/twg)
What Is the UK Unclaimed Estates List?
The UK Unclaimed Estates list, managed by the Government Legal Department (GLD), includes details of individuals who died intestate (without a will) and whose next of kin could not be traced. Estates can include cash, personal belongings, pensions, savings, stocks, and even property.
Currently, hundreds of estates—some potentially worth thousands or even millions of pounds—are left unclaimed. While some deceased individuals have little documentation, others have partially identifiable information such as a Nigerian surname, birthplace, or parentage, making it likely that they have relatives in Nigeria or elsewhere.
Why Families Must Act Quickly
In the UK, families have 30 years from the date of death to claim an unclaimed estate. If no legitimate heir comes forward during this window, the estate becomes permanent property of the UK government.
Many families in Nigeria, Africa, or even in the UK are simply unaware that their relatives had any assets abroad. These estates can be life-changing in value and represent not only financial benefit but also the legacy of a loved one.
The biggest risk lies in ignorance. People may have had elderly uncles, aunts, siblings, or distant relatives who lived in the UK for years but never discussed their wealth or financial affairs. Some may have died in care homes or hospitals without any known family contact.
Who Can Claim an Estate?
According to UK inheritance laws, the following relatives are eligible to claim an estate:
- Spouse or civil partner
- Children or grandchildren
- Parents
- Siblings or their children (nieces and nephews)
- Grandparents
- Uncles, aunts, or cousins
Even distant relatives have a legal right to inherit if they can prove a biological or legal connection. It is important to gather official records, birth and death certificates, family trees, and any supporting evidence to validate the relationship.
Access Life-Changing Travel UPDATES on TRAVUL.org Community & Connect With Fellow Travulers: (www.travul.org/twg)
How to Check the Unclaimed Estates List
To find out if your deceased relative in the UK may have left behind an estate, visit the UK Government’s official Unclaimed Estates List and search by surname. The list is updated frequently and includes the full name, date of birth, place of death, and other identifiers.
This process is completely free to the public and can be done without legal representation. However, for complex claims or high-value estates, many families hire probate researchers, solicitors, or inheritance specialists to help verify their claims and navigate the legal process.
Common Reasons Estates Go Unclaimed
There are several reasons why estates of deceased Nigerians and other Africans in the UK go unclaimed:
- Lack of a Will: Many people, particularly immigrants, never create a formal will due to lack of awareness or legal guidance.
- Family Disconnection: People may lose contact with family in Nigeria or be estranged from their loved ones.
- No Next of Kin Known: If no family is listed on hospital or government records, it becomes hard for authorities to trace next of kin.
- Confusion Around Legal Process: Many families abroad are intimidated by or unfamiliar with UK legal systems and don’t pursue inheritance.
- Migration and Name Changes: Changes in surname, marriage, or documentation make it difficult to link deceased individuals with living relatives.
The Nigerian Diaspora and Forgotten Wealth
With over 250,000 Nigerians living in the UK, many of whom migrated in the 60s, 70s, and 80s, there is a substantial elderly population. Many of these individuals built lives in the UK, bought homes, paid taxes, and worked decades in public service, private companies, or owned small businesses.
It’s likely that some estates on the list represent homes, pensions, or investments left by Nigerian immigrants whose relatives in Nigeria have no idea they’ve passed on—or left behind valuable assets.
This highlights the importance of diaspora communities staying connected with family back home and ensuring proper legal documents like wills and inheritance plans are put in place.
What Families in Nigeria Can Do Now
If you suspect you may be related to someone on the UK’s unclaimed estate list, here’s what you can do:
- Visit the Unclaimed Estates website: Search using known family surnames or locations.
- Consult a probate solicitor or inheritance expert: Especially if the claim involves large assets or complex family trees.
- Gather family documents: Birth certificates, death records, immigration documents, and any correspondence from the UK.
- Submit a claim promptly: Don’t delay once a possible estate is identified.
- Spread awareness: Encourage others in your network to search the list—you never know who might be connected.
Access Life-Changing Travel UPDATES on TRAVUL.org Community & Connect With Fellow Travulers: (www.travul.org/twg)
Why This Matters for the Nigerian Community
The issue of unclaimed estates is not just about money—it’s about preserving family legacies, respecting the hard work of earlier generations, and ensuring wealth is returned to rightful heirs.
It is also a stark reminder of the need for estate planning. Families in the diaspora should be encouraged to draft wills, list next of kin, and keep updated personal records that make it easier for loved ones to access inheritance.
Moreover, this situation emphasizes the importance of cross-border legal literacy. Many Nigerians abroad may not know how their estates will be handled upon death, especially if they have properties in multiple countries. Educating people on how to prepare wills and alert family members can help reduce these unfortunate scenarios.
Conclusion
As the UK continues to maintain its registry of unclaimed estates, families—especially in Nigeria—are encouraged to act swiftly. Whether it’s an uncle who moved to London in the 1970s or a sister who quietly built a life abroad, there could be valuable unclaimed inheritances just waiting to be discovered.
Access Life-Changing Travel UPDATES on TRAVUL.org Community & Connect With Fellow Travulers: (www.travul.org/twg)
