The UK government has recently published a list of unclaimed estates, revealing that 5,806 individuals who lived and passed away in the country left behind assets without any legal claimants.

Among them, 58 Nigerians were identified, raising concerns about the fate of these abandoned properties and the need for more awareness within the Nigerian community abroad.

The list, released on Monday, includes essential details such as names, dates of death, places of death, marital status, and Bona Vacantia (BV) reference numbers.

This means these estates currently belong to the UK government under the Bona Vacantia rule, awaiting rightful heirs to come forward and make a claim.

If no relatives claim these estates within a specific timeframe, the properties could become permanently absorbed into the UK Treasury.

Who Are the Nigerians on the List?

Among the notable names are:
• Adenike Adebiyi, a spinster from Hackney, London, whose date of death remains unknown (BV21003032/1).
• Arbel Aai’Lotta’Qua Abouarh, a widower from Chiswick, London, who passed away on 5th February 1998 (BV984930/1).
• Akanni Jeremiah Adejumo, who died on 31st March 2017 in Muswell Hill, London (BV21711076/1).
• Solomon Adekanmibi, who passed on 31st January 2021 in Colchester, Essex (BV22207473/1).

The list covers individuals from London, Birmingham, Leeds, Derby, Sheffield, and other regions across the UK, with dates of death spanning from 1995 to 2021. Some had clear marital statuses such as bachelors, widowers, or spinsters, while others remained unspecified.

Why This Matters to Nigerians in the UK

Many Nigerians abroad work hard to establish themselves, acquire assets, and build a legacy. However, without proper estate planning, such wealth may end up in government custody, leaving potential beneficiaries unaware or unable to claim their rightful inheritance.

Legal heirs—whether family members or close relatives—must be proactive in tracking and securing unclaimed estates to prevent such losses.

How to Claim an Unclaimed Estate

If you believe you are a relative of any deceased person on the list, you can file a claim by providing legal proof of relationship. The UK government’s Bona Vacantia division allows claims from:
• Immediate family members (children, parents, siblings, spouses)
• Extended relatives (cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews)

Proper documentation, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, and other legal proofs of relationship, will be required to process a claim.

Lessons for Nigerians in the Diaspora

This revelation serves as a reminder for Nigerians abroad to take estate planning seriously. To avoid such situations, it is advisable to:

- Have a valid will to outline how assets should be distributed.
- Inform trusted family members about your estate and assets.
- Regularly update legal documents to reflect current circumstances.
- Consult a solicitor to ensure your estate is properly documented.

The case of unclaimed estates highlights the importance of proper estate planning and ensuring that assets do not go to waste. For the Nigerian community in the UK, this is a wake-up call to take proactive steps in securing their financial legacy.

Full List of the Deceased Nigerians

Below is the alphabetically sorted list of the remaining names, including their Bona Vacantia (BV) reference numbers and locations:

A
• Ganiyu Akambi Aderinto – BV21808132/1 | Archway, London N19
• Richard Adesanya – BV21808132/1 | Hackney, London E9
• Jeff Adhekeh – BV22107842/1 | South Kensington, London SW7
• Isaac Ademola Adio – BV21304418/1 | Harrow, Middlesex
• Julius Ajidahuan – BV2097929/1 | Ilford, Essex
• Julius Taiwo Akinyeye – BV960071/1 | Derby, Derbyshire
• Charles Ayodele Aliu – BV21213206/1 | Solihull, West Midlands
• Peter Ifeanyi Arinze – BV2026061/1 | Camberwell, London SE5
• Folayele Festus Awosika – BV2037690/1 | Hammersmith, London W6
• Olajide Ayinde – BV974293/1 | Hackney, London E9

B
• Matthew Balogun – BV2084437/1 | Clapham, London SW4
• Henry Banjoko – BV2074183/1 | Hampstead, London NW3
• John Olaolu Bankole – BV21105049/1 | London EC1V
• Tessi Bello – BV2051782/1 | Camden, London NW3
• Peter Benson – BV21918199/1 | Stratford, London E15
• Paul Benard – BV2087609/1 | Camden, London NW1

C
• Eugene Bucknor – BV22108784/1 | Brockley, London SE4
• Samuel Emeka Chude – BV21201209/1 | Birmingham
• Nathaniel Davies – BV21211255/1 | Clapton, London E5
• Charles Dixon – BV21817506/1 | Basingstoke, Hampshire

E
• Enwukwe Graham Kwedi Ede – BV21106358/1 | Lambeth, London SE1
• Sunny Eyo Edem – BV21114789/1 | Ilford, Essex

F
• Victor Adedapo Olufemi Fani-Kayode – BV2026069/1 | Birmingham, West Midlands
• Bose Abosede Elizabeth Fige – BV2085258/1 | Paddington, London W2

G
• Samuel William MacAuley Godwin – BV21106495/1 | Lambeth, London SE1

H
• Salamatu Harford – BV2091608/1 | South Norwood, London SE25

I
• Tamunokombia Morris Isodiki – BV2011682/1 | Camden, London NW1

J
• Oyinoluwa Tijesulase Jesugoodness – BV21400247/1 | Tottenham, London N15
• Ibidun Johnson – BV21307554/1 | Peckham, London SE15

K
• William Kadry – BV21200174/1 | Fulham, London SW6

M
• Victoria Myers – BV21914328/1 | St. Johns Wood, London NW8

N
• Mark N’Wogo – BV93623/1 | Surrey, Mid-Eastern Surrey

O
• Zacheus Idowu Ogunsanya – BV2040843/1 | Camberwell, London SE5
• Ifetayo Oguntayo – BV21705991/1 | Upper Edmonton, London N18
• John Emanuel O’Hosi – BV2071815/1 | Leeds, West Yorkshire
• Stephen Oliyide – BV21508718/1 | Catford, London SE6
• Joyce Omoni – BV21503408/1 | Peckham, London SE15
• Adeoye Kuyoro Onanuga – BV21609894/1 | Kingston upon Thames, Surrey
• Kayode Orishagbemi – BV21202011/1 | Northampton, Northamptonshire
• Tex Orrico – BV20911088/1 | Marylebone, London W1
• Florence Baby Osikpa – BV21501417/1 | Paddington, London WC2
• Kate Blessing Osolase – BV21906100/1 | Wednesbury, West Midlands
• Francis Ossai – BV2064064/1 | Highgate, London N6
• Sunday Owolabi – BV22015871/1 | Whitechapel, London E1
• Gabriel Nduaguba Ozokoli – BV22005943/1 | Edmonton, London N18

R
• Cecilia Ricketts – BV21110413/1 | Hackney, London E9

T
• Henry George Babatunde Taylor – BV2077793/1 | St Pancras, London WC1

U
• John Uzoma – BV21815461/1 | Camden, London NW3

W
• Akinlolu Olaniran Williams – BV21315131/1 | Sheffield, South Yorkshire
• Akinola Williams – BV2081939/1 | Northampton, Northamptonshire
• Nathaniel Babatunde Williams – BV2092299/1 | Birmingham, West Midlands
• Samuel Ademola Williams – BV21808988/1 | Wanstead, London E11

Y
• Salihu Ajadi Yusuff – BV21713497/1 | Leeds, West Yorkshire

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