President Bola Tinubu says traditional rulers remain the most enduring link between government and the people and should be formally recognised within Nigeria’s governance framework.
Tinubu, represented by Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, stated this on Monday at the meeting of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) held in Lagos.
The event, themed “The Traditional Institution: The Imperative of Its Inclusion in the Effective and Efficient Governance in Nigeria,” brought together royal fathers from across the country to deliberate on the constitutional relevance of traditional leadership in modern governance.
Tinubu said the traditional institution continued to play crucial roles in promoting peace, cohesion, and stability despite lacking formal constitutional backing.
“Across the country, our traditional rulers carry out essential responsibilities that keep our communities united and functional — mediating conflicts, preserving culture, and maintaining order,” he said.
The president recalled that traditional rulers had defined roles in Nigeria’s early constitutional order, citing the 1963 Republican Constitution, which gave them legislative presence and participation in governance.
He lamented that the 1979 and 1999 Constitutions failed to restore such recognition, leaving the institution to operate informally.
“This is not a question of nostalgia but one of institutional continuity. Our royal fathers are still doing the work; what they need is formal recognition by law,” Tinubu said.
He urged the National Assembly to revisit the matter, noting that other African countries, including Ghana, South Africa, and Namibia, had constitutionally entrenched their traditional institutions without undermining democracy.
“The marriage between governance and tradition is real. The only thing missing is the certificate,” he added.
Tinubu, however, advised monarchs to remain neutral in politics, emphasising that their moral authority and public trust were essential to sustaining their influence and dignity.
In his welcome address, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos said the state was honoured to host the gathering of cultural custodians whose wisdom and leadership continued to uphold the nation’s moral fabric.
Sanwo-Olu described the meeting as timely, stressing that traditional institutions had always served as the trusted bridge between the people and government.
“Long before modern governance took shape, our traditional rulers were the bedrock of stability and justice. Even today, no government can thrive without their support,” he said.
He noted that while military intervention had weakened the traditional system, democracy now offers an opportunity for its restoration.
“Our royal fathers must continue to push for constitutionally backed relevance. Lagos will always support this cause,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, who is also Chairman of the NCTRN, commended President Tinubu for his commitment to national unity and expressed optimism that the meeting’s deliberations would strengthen the institutional role of traditional rulers.
He urged royal fathers to sustain their efforts in promoting peace and security in their domains, describing collaboration with government as key to building a stable and prosperous Nigeria.
