…National council of traditional rulers holds key meeting in Lagos on governance inclusion
…Royal fathers seek end to subordination under local govts
BENJAMIN OMOIKE
LAGOS, Nigeria – Traditional rulers from across Nigeria convened in Lagos on Monday to deliberate on their role in fostering peace and national stability, with a renewed call for constitutional recognition of their institutions.
The gathering, hosted by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, marked the National Executive Committee meeting of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN)—the apex body representing Nigeria’s royal institutions. The two-day event held at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, was themed: “The Traditional Institution: The Imperative of its Inclusion in Effective and Efficient Governance in Nigeria.”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared the meeting open, with Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodimma, representing him. Also in attendance were nine other state governors, including Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
Co-chaired by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the meeting underscored the urgent need to integrate traditional institutions more formally into Nigeria’s governance framework.
Sanwo-Olu: Traditional Rulers are a Bridge Between Government and the People
In his address, Governor Sanwo-Olu described traditional rulers as “the vital link” between the people and government, calling them a “bridge between state institutions and community realities.” He argued that although traditional leaders wield immense influence, they lack the constitutional recognition necessary to contribute meaningfully to governance.
“With the restoration of democracy since 1999, our traditional rulers are gradually reasserting themselves in the national consciousness. But we are not yet there,” Sanwo-Olu stated. “I advise that our traditional rulers continue to push for more constitutionally backed relevance. This is the right thing to do, and we promise to support this push.”
He emphasized that clearly defined roles for traditional institutions could enhance national stability, especially as the country grapples with multifaceted socio-economic and security challenges.
Uzodimma: Existing Influence Deserves Legal Backing
Echoing Sanwo-Olu’s position, Governor Uzodimma noted that the constitutional roles of traditional rulers were diminished following Nigeria’s transition from the 1963 Republican Constitution to the 1979 and 1999 constitutions. The Imo governor highlighted that under the 1963 Constitution, traditional rulers had legislative relevance, which was later removed, reducing their authority to mere advisory roles.
“We must stop pretending that the absence of a constitutional role means an absence of function,” Uzodimma said. “Your relevance is not in question and never has been. What is questionable is the system’s failure to give legal backing to a role it already depends on.”
He called for legal reforms that reflect the de facto importance of traditional leaders in conflict resolution and community governance, stating, “The time has come to make this right—not necessarily by creating a new role, but by giving legal status to what already exists.”
Sultan, Ooni, and Other Monarchs Push for Greater Autonomy
The Sultan of Sokoto emphasized the importance of traditional institutions in strengthening national unity and peaceful coexistence. He called on traditional rulers to maintain their support for government efforts to build peace across Nigeria’s diverse communities.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, strongly criticized legal provisions that place first-class kings under the administrative authority of local government chairmen, calling for the abrogation of such laws. “Our roles have been relegated by constitutional arrangements that no longer reflect our status as moral guardians of society,” the Ooni stated.
Chairman of the meeting’s coordinating committee and Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, reaffirmed the relevance of traditional institutions, saying they remain the moral compass and cultural anchors of Nigeria’s diverse communities.
“The traditional institutions have been an enduring heritage of the people from which different groups in Nigeria have come to identify and see as moral guides,” the Etsu Nupe noted.
As the meeting concluded, participants collectively resolved to intensify advocacy for legal reforms that would formally integrate traditional rulers into Nigeria’s governance architecture, ensuring their enduring influence is matched with constitutional authority.
