At a gathering of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) in Lagos, ten governors joined royal leaders in calling for the formal constitutional recognition of traditional rulers, emphasizing their role as bridges between governments and communities.
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, delivering the keynote address, said that traditional rulers already perform essential functions in conflict resolution, community cohesion, and cultural leadership — roles that deserve legal backing. He recalled their constitutional roles under earlier Nigerian constitutions and urged that such authority be restored.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu supported the proposal, citing the moral authority and local legitimacy traditional rulers command. He said the institutions were “respected but not officially empowered” and advocated for national legislative action to define their place in Nigeria’s constitutional order.
The meeting, themed “The Traditional Institution: The Imperative of Its Inclusion in Effective and Efficient Governance in Nigeria,” included monarchs from across Nigeria. The Sultan of Sokoto and the Ooni of Ife were among royal attendees who welcomed the push for clearer legal status and urged collaboration with political authorities to shape reforms.
