Reclaiming Indigenous Governance and Integrating Traditional Rulers into Nigeria's Constitutional Future

Governance and peacebuilding practitioner with a focus on conflict prevention, democratic governance, and youth and women's inclusion.

Afrocracy: Reclaiming Indigenous Governance

As Nigeria contends with deepening insecurity and weakening state presence across vast regions, the call for a reimagined governance model has never been more urgent. From the banditry-plagued North-West and the insurgency-ridden North-East to separatist agitations in the South-East, vast areas have effectively become ungoverned spaces — zones where the writ of the Nigerian state is either absent or contested. In many of these places, it is not police or state actors who command authority but traditional rulers — custodians of values, conflict mediators, and de facto administrators.

Despite their historical legitimacy and grassroots governance roles, Nigeria’s traditional institutions remain constitutionally sidelined, treated more as cultural artefacts than governance assets. This disconnect fuels what former President Olusegun Obasanjo recently described as the “failure and dying state of democracy in Africa” — a system often seen as top-down and alien to indigenous political traditions.

Afrocracy, a concept that calls for African-centered governance rooted in indigenous values and traditional institutions stands as a palliative to that disconnect. One of the lessons from my observations of the 2023 elections in Sierra Leone was the reservation of seats in the National Assembly and Provincial councils for Paramount Chiefs — a practice enshrined in their 1991 Constitution. Similarly, Ghana, Uganda, and Ethiopia have integrated traditional institutions into their governance systems. Why then does Nigeria, with its rich traditional leadership structures, remain the exception?

Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah recently described democracy in Africa as a “work in progress” — a sentiment echoed by Professor Attahiru Jega, who views democratic development in Nigeria as evolutionary, not revolutionary. For Jega, democracy must be localized, gradually strengthened, and responsive to local realities. Amid these calls for reflection, a pragmatic middle ground emerges: the strategic inclusion of traditional institutions into Nigeria’s constitutional framework.

With the ongoing constitutional review by the National Assembly, there is a unique opportunity to move toward a governance model that reflects Nigerian realities. As ungoverned spaces grow, fueled by insecurity and state withdrawal, traditional rulers remain some of the last bastions of community legitimacy. Their integration into the constitution need not represent a break from democracy, but rather its evolution—anchoring it in indigenous legitimacy while upholding democratic values.

Lessons and Cautionary Reflections on Integration

Nigeria’s constitutional history reflects the evolving relationship between traditional institutions and formal governance. Early constitutions — like the Macpherson Constitution (1951), the 1960 Independence Constitution, and the 1963 Republican Constitution — recognized traditional rulers as key actors, especially in the Northern and Western regions, integrating them into legislative councils. These arrangements helped bridge colonial systems and indigenous governance, enhancing legitimacy and ensuring smoother political transitions.

However, the 1979 and 1999 Constitutions reversed this trend, excluding traditional rulers from governance and relegating them to ceremonial roles. This marginalization, coupled with decades of military rule, weakened the influence of traditional institutions in statecraft, diminished their mediatory role in conflict resolution, and eroded grassroots trust in formal institutions.

While integrating traditional institutions into formal governance offers benefits, it also presents considerable risks. A central concern is the undemocratic nature of these institutions, as traditional rulers are not elected through democratic processes. Without safeguards, their inclusion could undermine accountability and electoral legitimacy.

In addition, regional and ethnic disparities in traditional systems pose a challenge. While the North and West have hierarchical structures like emirates and kingdoms, the East, particularly among the Igbo, has more egalitarian traditions. Reintegration without addressing these structural imbalances could worsen regional tensions. There is also the issue of politicization. Many traditional rulers are appointed or influenced by political actors, especially state governors. This compromises their neutrality and risks turning them into instruments of elite control rather than community advocates.

Another legitimate concern is that integrating traditional institutions into Nigeria’s governance framework without gender-sensitive reforms could reinforce male dominance and exclusionary practices. Traditional governance systems in Nigeria are historically patriarchal, often sidelining women and youth from decision-making. Laws must evolve and become responsive to contemporary realities, ensuring that traditional courts and governance structures do not perpetuate gender-based discrimination.

For instance, if traditional courts are to be constitutionally recognized, there must be a requirement that they follow constitutional provisions on gender equality. Establishing women-friendly customary courts, where female judges or arbitrators are included in dispute resolution panels, would be a step toward inclusivity. Nigeria can also draw from Botswana and Uganda, where female participation in traditional governance is actively encouraged. 

Toward a Balanced and Reformed Integration

Given Nigeria’s diversity and complex governance needs, a hybrid governance model—one that blends traditional authority with modern democratic principles — offers a viable path forward. Such a model would neither romanticize tradition nor reject it but strategically integrate traditional rulers as community-based partners in governance.

1. Constitutional and Legal Recognition

The starting point is constitutional and legal recognition. The 1999 Constitution must be amended to acknowledge traditional institutions and define their consultative roles in cultural affairs, peacebuilding, and local governance. States should be empowered to develop legislation that reflects regional variations in traditional systems, aligning them with democratic values.

Traditional rulers can also be given seats in legislative assemblies. For instance, Sierra Leone’s Parliament includes 14 Paramount Chiefs, and Uganda recognizes regional kings under structured legal frameworks. Nigeria could adopt a similar system, with traditional representation at both federal and state levels, tailored to historical relevance and contemporary function.

Additionally, Traditional Advisory Councils should be established at national, state, and local levels. These bodies could advise on land disputes, customary law, inter-communal relations, and development planning. Their non-partisan, consultative nature would prevent encroachment on the powers of elected representatives.

2. Security and Community Policing

Traditional rulers already play an informal role in community security. A formal legal framework could empower them to collaborate with law enforcement and oversee local vigilante groups, especially in rural areas. Ghana’s Chieftaincy Institution provides a working model for this type of partnership. By integrating traditional institutions into Nigeria’s community policing strategy, local security networks can become more effective and trusted.

3. Participation in Local Development Planning

In many rural communities, traditional rulers remain the most respected authorities. Their insights into local needs make them valuable partners in development planning. They should be involved in setting priorities, engaging in budget discussions, and monitoring public projects. Their inclusion would improve project ownership, transparency, and service delivery outcomes.

4. Customary Justice and Dispute Resolution

Nigeria’s overburdened judicial system can benefit from integrating customary justice mechanisms overseen by traditional rulers. In countries like South Africa, traditional leaders operate under legal frameworks like the Traditional Courts Act, to mediate local disputes. A similar model in Nigeria could enhance access to justice, particularly in rural areas, while ensuring these customary systems align with constitutional safeguards on fairness and human rights.

5. Gender-Inclusive Traditional Governance

To avoid reinforcing gender-based exclusion, traditional governance structures must undergo gender-sensitive reforms. This includes mandating women’s representation in traditional councils, recognizing the authority of female traditional leaders where they exist (such as the Omu and the Iyalode), and ensuring that customs and laws align with Nigeria’s National Gender Policy and international frameworks like Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Reforms should also promote inclusive leadership by encouraging dialogue on gender roles within communities and by supporting the participation of youth and marginalized groups in customary governance systems.

Conclusion: Designing a Balanced and Inclusive Hybrid Model

The time has come to reimagine governance in Nigeria — not by discarding democratic ideals but by enriching them through indigenous legitimacy. A hybrid model that strategically integrates traditional institutions into the democratic framework will reflect Nigeria’s plural identity and reinforce governance at the grassroots level.

Traditional rulers should no longer be viewed as relics of the past but as partners for the future —custodians of culture, peacebuilders, and co-governors in national development. Through a framework that is legally grounded, gender-responsive, culturally respectful, and reform-oriented, Nigeria can build a more inclusive, accountable, and resilient democratic system.