Imagine a loved one passes away, and shortly after, a bank calls, demanding repayment of their loan. Suddenly, you’re thrust into a maze of documentation, probate, and estate law. What do you do?
Many Nigerians wonder, if a borrower dies before paying off a loan, does the debt disappear, or will their family be forced to carry the burden?
Let’s walk through what really happens if someone dies owing money in Nigeria.
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Debt Does Not Disappear With Death
Debt does not disappear with death [Dreamstime.com]
Contrary to what many people assume, debts don’t vanish just because the borrower has passed away. In Nigeria, debts are legally tied to the borrower’s estate. As the legal terms clarify, “debtors… cease to be juristic persons. The only way a creditor can recover is by going after the deceased’s ‘estate’.”
Now, what exactly is an estate? In simple terms, an estate refers to everything a person leaves behind after death. Land, houses, cars, money in the bank, shares, businesses, and even personal belongings of value. When someone dies, their estate becomes the pool from which debts, funeral expenses, and other obligations are settled before whatever is left can be inherited by the family.
This means banks or creditors will not simply write off the loan. Instead, they look to recover the outstanding amount from the deceased’s estate.
Role of Executors and Administrators who Manage the Estate
If the deceased left a will, the executor named in it is responsible for using assets from the estate to pay off debts. If there is no will, the court appoints an administrator (usually a close family member) to handle this role.
The executor or administrator will first calculate the value of the estate, then pay off debts in order of legal priority. Only after that can any inheritance be shared among family members.
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Can Creditors Chase Beneficiaries or Family?
Can creditors chase family?
Here’s an important point: the family is NOT personally responsible for the debt. If the estate has enough to cover what is owed, creditors get paid. But if the estate is smaller than the debt, creditors can only recover what’s available. They cannot force children, a spouse, or relatives to pay from their own income.
For example, if a man owes ₦5 million but leaves behind an estate worth ₦2 million, the creditors can only collect ₦2 million. The balance is effectively written off.
As law experts clarify, “Beneficiaries of the estate of a deceased debtor are not personally… responsible to settle a deceased debtor’s personal debts.”
Secured vs Unsecured Loans
Another important factor is the type of loan.
- Secured loans like mortgages or car loans are tied to collateral. If the borrower dies, the bank can seize and sell the collateral (e.g., the house or car) to recover the loan.
- Unsecured loans like personal loans or credit card debt are recovered from the estate, if possible. If the estate is insufficient, the bank absorbs the loss.
This is why banks in Nigeria often demand collateral, guarantors, or insurance when giving loans.
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Guarantors May Be Affected
If someone stood as a guarantor for the deceased borrower, the responsibility may fall on them if the estate cannot cover the loan. This is because guarantors legally promise to take on the debt if the borrower defaults, whether alive or dead.
Many Nigerians discover the seriousness of this only when tragedy strikes.
Can Creditors Harass the Family?
Legally, creditors should direct their claims to the estate through the executor or administrator, not harass grieving family members. Unfortunately, in practice, some banks or microfinance lenders pressure the spouse or children into making payments.
According to legal experts, families should know their rights: “No one is compelled to pay a dead relative’s loan with their personal money. The law only allows debts to be deducted from the deceased’s estate.”
And if the deceased’s assets are insufficient or nonexistent, creditors may simply not be paid. There’s no obligation for beneficiaries or relatives to cover debts.
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Insurance and Loan Protection
Some Nigerian banks include loan protection insurance, which covers repayment if the borrower dies. In such cases, the insurer settles the outstanding loan, protecting both the family and the estate. However, this only applies if the loan agreement clearly included such insurance.
Final Notes
If you die owing a loan in Nigeria:
- Loans don’t die with you; they are settled from your estate.
- Your family is not automatically liable, unless they are guarantors.
- Proper planning matters, making a will, securing insurance, or avoiding excessive borrowing can protect your loved ones from stress.
Debt may live on, but legal clarity can help it rest more peacefully.
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How Gen Z Nigerians are using podcasts as business schools
20 August 2025 at 5:18For many Gen Z Nigerians, podcasts have become more than entertainment. They’re now practical business schools shaping their entrepreneurial journeys.
ow production costs, easy distribution, and a wealth of practical guests mean a single series can teach marketing, finance, negotiation, and product design better than some entry-level courses.
Young listeners binge episodes between commutes and classes, apply tactics immediately to side hustles, and discuss lessons in WhatsApp groups. Unlike textbooks, podcasts deliver current case studies, founder interviews, and real-time playbooks you can try this week.
Here are the ways Gen Z is turning podcasts into no-nonsense business schools.
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1. Learning from founders who are doing the work
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Rather than theoretical lectures, many podcasts feature founders, operators, and freelancers sharing real-life failures and wins. Gen Zers listen for concrete tactics, copy templates, and pricing examples they can replicate, then test those tactics the same week.
2. Bite-sized skill building
Episodes range from ten to forty-five minutes, so learners slot them into commutes or breaks and master one concept at a time. This microlearning approach helps listeners adopt one new skill per week instead of getting overwhelmed by long courses.
3. Access to niche, industry-specific playbooks
Podcasts cover hyper-specific topics like Instagram ad funnels for artisans, logistics for small food brands, or how to pitch to angel investors. These niche shows replace generic advice and give practical steps that match local constraints.ADVERTISEMENT
4. Mentoring at scale through audio conversations
Hearing senior professionals talk through decisions and mistakes functions like mentorship for thousands at once. Gen Zers take notes, DM guests, join their communities, and sometimes get one-on-one ups that start with a podcast episode as common ground.
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5. Community learning and collective accountability
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Many podcast hosts run listener groups, WhatsApp cohorts, or live Q&A sessions. Listeners share results, swap templates, and hold each other accountable to try tactics. That social layer turns passive listening into active practice.
6. Faster trend spotting and tactical pivots
Podcasts react quickly to platform changes, new tools, and market trends. Gen Z entrepreneurs use episodes to spot early opportunities, adapt pricing, or test new channels before they become saturated.
7. Inexpensive career and business networking
Appearing as a guest or commenting on episodes is a low-friction way for early-career people to get noticed. Hosts introduce reliable contributors to sponsors, partners, and clients.ADVERTISEMENT
For listeners, producing show notes, case studies, or short follow-ups is an easy way to convert learning into visible work.
Podcasts are not a replacement for hands-on practice, but they are a powerful shortcut to knowledge, networks, and real-time mentorship.
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5 Overlooked careers that guarantee global opportunities for Nigerians
20 August 2025 at 5:00As hiring shifts to skills first and borders blur, several specialised careers quietly open direct paths to international contracts, remote roles, and relocation.
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These jobs combine clear certification routes, measurable outputs, and demand that spans markets, making them ideal for Nigerians who want global mobility without decades of seniority.
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They are often overlooked because they are technical, niche, or behind the scenes, yet they offer steady demand, remote friendliness, and meaningful pay in foreign currencies.
Below are 5 careers with real cross-border upside and a note on how to get started from Nigeria.
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1. Data privacy and protection specialist
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Companies everywhere must comply with privacy laws and manage data risk, so people who understand frameworks like the GDPR and how to run compliance audits are in constant demand.
Start by learning core regulations, earn a recognised privacy certification, and document a few compliance or gap assessment projects for local organisations to build a portable portfolio.
2. Localization and transcreation specialist
Global products fail when messaging does not translate culturally. Specialists who adapt copy, UX, and payment flows for specific markets are hired by distributed teams and agencies.
Develop strong writing skills in your language pair, learn common localization tools, and produce case studies that demonstrate how you effectively made content resonate with Nigerian or West African audiences.ADVERTISEMENT
3. Ux and product designer
User experience and product design drive adoption across markets. Designers who can conduct research, prototype quickly, and show measurable improvements in usability, attract remote roles and international clients.
Build portfolio case studies that include before and after metrics, contribute to open source or volunteer apps, and focus on projects that demonstrate real user impact.
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4. ESG and green finance analyst
Investors and development banks need analysts who can translate environmental and social outcomes into credible, bankable metrics. Skills in impact measurement, carbon basics, and green financing frameworks connect you to international funding flows.
Study core concepts, help a local project prepare an investment brief, and use that practical work to demonstrate your ability to bridge technical analysis and finance.
5. Clinical research associate and trial coordinator
Pharmaceutical and biotech trials are global by design and routinely hire site coordinators, monitors, and data managers who ensure compliance and data quality across borders.ADVERTISEMENT
Gain entry through foundational clinical research courses, seek internships at hospitals or research centres involved in trials, and document your role on at least one study to qualify for multinational contract research organisations.
These careers share clear learning paths, measurable deliverables, and strong cross-border demand.
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Essential Conversations To Have With Your Teen Before They Drive
20 August 2025 at 7:49#FeaturedPost
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Cars have long transcended their mere connotation as means of transportation, epitomizing freedom, status, and personal identity. Car culture is rooted not only in impressing others but also in the fact that a car gives drivers a feeling of dominance that ordinary passions cannot replicate. Many teenagers are now developing extreme emotional or sentimental connections to certain vehicles, as they are an incredible thrill and offer a tremendous sense of accomplishment, especially for those fighting with concerns regarding their stability, self-worth, and significance.
Many parents have reported that their teens seem a bit too excited about their new driver’s license, interpreting it as an arena for entertainment, sexuality, thrill-seeking, and competition. Under those circumstances, it’s of paramount importance to step in and remind them that GTA and driving video games are not to be considered realistic for driving a car in real life. Your teenager must understand that the potential damages and liability to which they may be exposed if they crash their car is nothing like GTA: real-life driving does not come with extra lives, multiple chances, and various bonuses.
The Real Consequences Of Irresponsible Driving
When first getting on the wheel, your teens’ thoughts will probably be anything but what could happen to their bodies during a collision caused by reckless driving. While this approach is not substantially wrong, as pessimism is never a good idea, the problem arises when it turns into a profound disinterest or incapacity to acknowledge that irresponsible driving comes, in fact, with numerous consequences. Dozens of different driving behaviors can be referred to as irresponsible, but the following represent the most common ones:ADVERTISEMENT
- Running stop signs.
- Running red lights.
- Not using turn signals.
- Distracted driving.
- Driving under the influence.
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Prepared to hear it or not, teen drivers account for numerous car crashes, failing to realize that driving is complex, multi-faceted responsibility that can lead to far-reaching and often irreversible consequences. From psychological stress, whiplash, traumatic brain injuries, to legal consequences, potential criminal charges, and financial burdens, reckless driving implies devastating outcomes. Although sometimes a teenager’s choice to remain passive and indifferent often strays far from the values instilled by their parents’ efforts and guidance, parental attitudes may influence safe driving by setting rules, paying attention, and always leading by example. Engage in a thoughtful discussion where you explain to your teen that irresponsible driving eventually will imply the following consequences:
- Psychological and Emotional Impact: Sometimes, when you do not care enough to embrace the road with responsibility, you can cause lasting psychological and emotional scars on victims, their families, and yourself.
- Injuries (worst case scenario, loss of life): Reckless driving has so often led to various injuries, and in the most tragic cases, has also resulted in fatalities, accompanied by unbearable grief and loss.
- Civil Liability: As victims have come to understand that if they do not rise to seek justice themselves, the silence will speak louder than their suffering, they do not hesitate to file personal injury lawsuits when being injured in a car accident.
The Importance of Staying Calm On The Road
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Driving sometimes indeed can turn into a source of unmanageable stress and anxiety, especially when encountering factors such as heavy traffic, road rage, driving in unfamiliar places, or adverse weather conditions. Mastering the art of staying calm under pressure is crucial when getting on the wheel, but the good part is that skills and confidence can be learned when possessing the compassion and conviction to take meaningful action. Encourage your teen to consider the following steps:
- Identify the Triggers: It’s of paramount importance for teens to learn how to acknowledge their emotions and reflect on the aspects that make them anxious on the road.
- Learn Relaxation Techniques: Teens must be encouraged to practice deep breathing techniques, use mindfulness strategies, and release tension in their bodies.
- Build Confidence Through Practice: The more varied the driving experiences, the more natural they will feel. Teens, however, should start with short, familiar routes and challenge themselves with complex driving circumstances ONLY when they truly feel ready.
The Drinking And Driving Talk
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As parents, you might want to believe your teen would never drink alcohol, but cards on the table, in today’s society, that would be pretty unrealistic. When being with your expectations regarding this subject, remember to let your teen know you will always be there to come pick them up from a party where alcohol is served as the main course, encouraging them to be honest and never get behind the wheel if they’ve had a drink. Teenagers may easily go down the wrong path, worrying about getting in a fight with their parents for drinking alcohol, so oppressively approaching them would not help much. Letting them know you will be there for them, always, no matter what they do, will increase the likelihood of them calling you to get them rather than driving under the influence.
Furthermore, they should know that driving under the influence is a serious crime that can carry an unbearable jail time. Urge them to consider the bigger picture, posing questions such as:
- Is a fleeting moment of recklessness truly worth sacrificing an entire life for?
- How does a life weighted down by the guilt of stealing someone else’s chance at life sound? It echoes in silence, sleepless nights, and in the relentless whisper of a conscience that never forgets.
- What would you say to the parents of someone you hurt?
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- Do you think freedom means doing whatever you want, or having the wisdom to protect what matters?
- Are you living in a way that honors your future?
Overall, there is nothing funny about risking lives, and reckless driving results in real tragedies. Breaking the law is not impressive, and although it may feel like rebellion, it comes with dire consequences that not even defiance can silence.
10 Nigerian foods with more fibre than beans
20 August 2025 at 4:59While beans remain an excellent source of nutrients, several local foods contain higher fibre content.
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In Nigeria, beans are widely celebrated as one of the healthiest staple foods that is rich in fibre, protein, and essential minerals.
But what if we told you there are Nigerian foods that actually pack more fibre than beans. While beans remain an excellent source of nutrients, several local foods contain higher fibre content and offer unique health benefits you may be missing out on.
For people that don’t like beans, that’s not the only option on the table. There are plenty of high-fibre Nigerian foods that can do even more for your digestive health, weight management, and heart wellness.
ALSO READ: 5 Nigerian foods that could be slowly killing you
What is Fibre and Why is it Important?
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Dietary fibre is the part of plant foods your body cannot digest. Instead of breaking down into sugar like most carbohydrates, fibre moves through your digestive system, keeping it clean and functional. There are two main types of fibre:
- Soluble fibre – dissolves in water and helps lower cholesterol and control blood sugar.
- Insoluble fibre – adds bulk to stool, preventing constipation and supporting gut health.
A fibre-rich diet can:
- Improve digestion and prevent constipation
- Control blood sugar (great for diabetics)
- Lower cholesterol and protect the heart
- Help with weight management by keeping you fuller longer
- Support overall wellness and reduce risk of chronic diseases
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10 High-Fibre Nigerian Foods
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1. Tiger Nuts (Aya)
Tiger nuts are small, crunchy tubers loaded with fibre. In fact, 30 grams of tiger nuts can contain up to 10 grams of fibre, more than beans provide in the same quantity. They are excellent for digestion, help control blood sugar, and double as a healthy snack.
2. Ofada Rice
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Unlike polished white rice, Ofada rice keeps its fibre-rich bran layer intact. A cup of Ofada rice provides about 7 grams of fibre, compared to 5 grams in beans. It’s also a slow-digesting carbohydrate, making it ideal for people managing diabetes even with its unique smell.
3. Garden Egg
Garden eggs are not just low in calories, they’re fibre powerhouses. Eating them raw or in stews provides more soluble fibre than beans, which helps with cholesterol control and weight management.
4. Cocoyam
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Cocoyam is highly fibrous and nutrient-dense, offering 8–10 grams of fibre per cup. This makes it a better fibre source than beans, while also supplying potassium and vitamin C for heart health.
5. Yam
Yam is a staple in Nigerian households, and it provides up to 8 grams of fibre per serving. Roasted, boiled or yam pottage is an easy way to increase daily fibre intake.ADVERTISEMENT
6. Okro
Okro is not just a soup. Both soluble and insoluble fibres in okro work to improve digestion and regulate blood sugar. A cup of sliced okro gives around 8 grams of fibre. It is also great for pregnant women.
7. Cassava (Garri, Fufu, Abacha)
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Cassava-based meals are naturally high in fibre, especially when less processed. Garri and abacha, for instance, can provide up to 9 grams of fibre per serving, supporting gut health and preventing constipation.
8. Vegetables (Ugwu & Efirin)
Traditional Nigerian vegetables like pumpkin leaves (ugwu) and scent leaves (efirin) are denser in fibre than beans per calorie. A plate of vegetable-rich soup can do wonders for digestion and overall health.
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9. Plantain (Especially Unripe)
Unripe plantain is a fibre-rich alternative to yam and beans, offering 7–8 grams of fibre per serving. It’s great for weight management and blood sugar regulation.
10. Millet & Sorghum
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These ancient Nigerian grains are fibre-rich alternatives to maize and rice. A cup of cooked millet provides 17 grams of fibre. They are perfect for porridge, swallow, or even flour-based meals.
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