Governors push for constitutional recognition of traditional rulers

Tuesday, October 14, 2025 - Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos and Hope Uzodimma of Imo on Monday renewed calls for constitutional recognition of Nigeria’s traditional rulers, describing them as vital partners in governance and national stability.

Traditional rulers across geo-political divides converged on Lagos on Monday to align their efforts towards engendering peace and keeping the country united.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared open the two-day national executive committee meeting of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) — the umbrella body of all traditional institutions in the country created to work with all tiers of government to promote national stability.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu hosted the two-day meeting held at Lagos Continental Hotel on Victoria Island, with the theme, ‘The Traditional Institution: The Imperative of its Inclusion in Effective and Efficient Governance in Nigeria’.

Sanwo-Olu was joined by nine other governors, including the Chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, and chairman of Progressive Governors Forum, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, who stood in for President Tinubu.

The meeting was convened at the instance of the NCTRN co-chairmen, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

Sanwo-Olu, in his opening address, described traditional institutions as “the vital link” between the government and the people, noting that traditional rulers were the bridge connecting institutions of the state with community realities.

Lagos governor said the meeting pushed forward the need to address the role of traditional institutions in governance, pointing out that traditional structures were respected segments of the country’s leadership system but not officially empowered despite their strong influence.

Sanwo-Olu observed the relevance of traditional institutions diminished during the military incursion in societal politics, dealing a blow to the traditional institutions. He said the military rule significantly eroded the laudable roles traditional rulers had played in shaping the nation and its cherished traditions.

“With the restoration of democracy in the country since 1999, our traditional rulers are gradually asserting themselves back into national consciousness.

But we are not yet there. 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 because we believe we need to tap from the experience and wisdom of our traditional rulers to make more progress.”

Sanwo-Olu encouraged the monarchs to continue to be steadfast pillars of integrity, fairness, and unity. The governor said the communities looked to the traditional institutions not just as cultural symbols, but as moral guides.

Voices of traditional leaders, Sanwo-Olu said, hold significant power when calling for peace, equity and progress, adding that their actions touch hearts and shape futures.

“Let us collaborate to ensure that our traditional institutions stay impartial, inclusive, and in sync with the broader vision of a just and thriving Nigeria,” Lagos State governor said.

Gov. Uzodimma recalled that traditional rulers had historically held a defined place in the nation’s constitutional order, pointing out that their role was not only symbolic but was also recognized by law.

In the First Republic, the Imo State governor noted that Section 34(2)(ii) of the 1963 Republican Constitution essentially gave traditional rulers direct legislative presence at the federal level.

This, he said, changed with the 1979 constitution, which removed roles for traditional institutions. The 1999 constitution, Uzodimma said, did not restore the statutory authority invested in the traditional institutions.

He said the institutions drift into informality where traditional rulers were left with advisory positions defined not by law, but by the discretion of government. Uzodimma said: “The continued influence of traditional rulers in Nigeria is not a courtesy extended by the state. It is a consequence of lived reality.

Across towns and villages, traditional leaders remain the first point of contact in moments of crisis, the first to be consulted when tempers rise, and the last to retreat when disorder threatens stability.

“We must stop pretending that the absence of a constitutional role means an absence of function. I can tell you today without fear of equivocation that your relevance is not in question, was never in doubt and would never be in doubt.

What is questionable is the failure of the system to give legal backing to a role it already depends on.” The chairman of Progressive Governors Forum said absence of a constitutional role for traditional institutions remained a gap to be filled, stressing that the nation must consider their importance as it updates its laws in line with current realities.