Sanwo-Olu and Uzodimma urge constitutional roles for traditional rulers, calling them vital to governance and peacebuilding in Nigeria

Sanwo-Olu and Uzodimma call for constitutional roles for traditional rulers, emphasising that royal institutions remain indispensable to Nigeria’s governance and development.

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Speaking on Monday at the opening of the 2025 National Executive Committee Meeting of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, held at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, the two governors highlighted the need for legal recognition of traditional rulers’ roles in the nation’s constitution.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as host, stressed that while traditional rulers enjoy great respect and moral authority, their functions remain undefined within Nigeria’s constitutional framework.

“They are respected but not officially empowered,” Sanwo-Olu said. “They hold influence yet lack clearly defined roles in our constitution.”

He described traditional rulers as “the trusted bridge that connects state institutions with community realities,” noting their vital contribution to conflict resolution, peacekeeping, and effective grassroots governance.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to advocating for a constitutionally recognised role for traditional institutions, reflecting Nigeria’s evolving governance landscape.

Echoing similar sentiments, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma said the absence of constitutional recognition should not be mistaken for a lack of function.

“Your relevance is not in question, was never in doubt and would never be in doubt,” Uzodimma said. “What is questionable is the failure of the system to give legal backing to a role it already depends on.”

He added that traditional rulers embody the cultural and customary identity of the people, serving as unifying forces that bind communities together.

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Both governors underscored that granting constitutional backing to traditional rulers would not only honour Nigeria’s heritage but also strengthen national unity and community development.