Issues in Surname Adoption among Contemporary Yoruba Muslims in Nigeria: A Historical Appraisal

Abstract

One of the most significant influences of foreign religion and culture on Africans is the idea of mandating women to adopt their husband’s name after marriage. This system is widely practiced globally, including Yoruba land. In recent years, it has attracted controversies among new Muslim couples as they seek to find a balance between tradition, modernity, and ideals. This study explores the cultural and religious issues surrounding surname preference among contemporary Yoruba Muslim women. It traces the evolution of surname adoption practices, particularly the custom of women taking their husband's surnames after marriage. It also examines the contribution of feminist campaigns and advocacy by Islamic organizations to the discourse. The study adopts a historical research approach, relying on both primary and secondary data. Data was collected through oral interview, blended with scholarly articles and analysed using content analysis. The study finds that historically, the change of women surname after marriage was introduced through English common law during the colonial era. The paper highlights how the patriarchal structure of both Yoruba traditional society and foreign religions like Christianity reinforced this practice. This phenomenon however contrasts with Islamic tradition which prohibits the change of women’s surname for lineage preservation, a widespread practice among Yoruba Muslim. It concludes with recommendations, that the government should address this issue through legal reforms, ensuring that women retain their surnames to preserve cultural identity and self-worth. The paper underscores the ongoing feminist debates and showcases the importance of recognizing, preserving, and protecting culture and gender identity in a pluralistic civilization.