International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research

Authors
Omeire Charles Obioma

Abstract
Child adoption does not take place in a vacuum. It also does not occur adventitiously or by serendipity. The decision to adopt a child is a very important one. It is usually preceded by a rational, well thought out evaluation, due consultations and painstaking environmental impact assessment of that decision. For both the adopted child and the adoptive parents, child adoption is a fundamental and life changing experience. When child adoption is perfected through the issuance of adoption order, the question of the social and legal implications of the act become relevant. The paper highlights the socio-legal implications of child adoption as it relates to inheritance, change of name, birth certificate, ordinal position, sexual relations legitimacy and presentation to kinsmen. The paper also examines the procedure for child adoption in Nigeria. The paper concluded by asserting that child adoption which, heretofore, was abominable in most societies in Nigeria, is gradually becoming fashionable.