Governors and monarchs across Nigeria have renewed calls for constitutional recognition of traditional rulers, emphasizing their importance in grassroots governance, peacebuilding, and cultural preservation. The appeal was made during the meeting of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) held in Lagos, attended by ten governors, royal fathers, and dignitaries nationwide. The event, themed “The Traditional Institution: The Imperative of Its Inclusion in Effective and Efficient Governance in Nigeria,” sought to secure a defined constitutional role for traditional rulers in the country’s governance framework.
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, representing President Bola Tinubu, stressed that monarchs are the strongest link between government and the people and deserve legal recognition for their roles in conflict resolution and community development. He noted that while traditional rulers had defined responsibilities under the 1963 Constitution, these roles were removed in later versions, creating a gap in governance. Uzodimma urged the National Assembly to correct this oversight through constitutional amendment and advised monarchs to remain politically neutral while supporting national unity.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu echoed these sentiments, describing traditional rulers as moral authorities and custodians of cultural values who play a vital role in maintaining peace and order. He called for their reintegration into governance structures in a practical, non-ceremonial manner, pledging Lagos State’s support for the initiative. Sanwo-Olu emphasized that clarifying the roles of monarchs would strengthen collaboration between government and traditional institutions, ultimately enhancing community stability and national development.
The meeting, co-chaired by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, also featured appeals for reform of existing laws that place traditional councils under local government control. Monarchs and governors alike argued that formal recognition would not disrupt democracy but rather complement it by legitimizing existing traditional functions. They urged the National Assembly to prioritize the inclusion of traditional institutions in Nigeria’s ongoing constitutional review process to promote stability, unity, and sustainable development.