Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Lagos, Nigeria — The Lagos State Government has issued a formal warning to residents and interest groups against assuming or installing chieftaincy and traditional titles without official approval, signalling a strict enforcement of existing laws regarding traditional leadership and cultural recognition. The advisory, issued on February 3, 2026 by the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Mr. Bolaji Kayode Robert, underscores that all traditional titles must be legally sanctioned by the state under the Obas and Chiefs Law of Lagos State, 2015. Authorities emphasised that any person or group found conferring or occupying unauthorised titles, including designations such as “Eze Ndigbo,” could face arrest, prosecution and imprisonment if they violate statutory procedures.
In the statement, the Lagos State Government described the proliferation of self‑proclaimed traditional rulers and ethnic leadership titles as an “unhealthy development” that has generated tension, confusion and needless conflict within the socio‑political landscape of the state. While acknowledging the right of various communities to choose representatives to coordinate their affairs, the government stressed that the assumption of chieftaincy titles with royal appellations such as “Oba,” “His Royal Majesty,” “His Royal Highness,” and equivalent honours are strictly regulated under the state’s chieftaincy law and must follow defined legal procedures.
The administration clarified that the Governor of Lagos State, acting through the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, remains the sole authority empowered to approve and issue chieftaincy titles under the state’s legal framework. Any title conferred without gubernatorial approval is considered null and void and carries the risk of criminal penalties, including imprisonment for up to two years as prescribed by relevant sections of the Obas and Chiefs Law. The government also highlighted that the law prohibits the use of royal paraphernalia such as beaded crowns, staffs, horse whisks (irukere) and related regalia by individuals not legally recognised as chiefs or traditional rulers.
The enforcement notice appears to address growing concerns about individuals styling themselves with ethnic leadership titles outside the traditional structures recognised by state law. Among these, the “Eze Ndigbo” title — a designation traditionally associated with Igbo cultural leadership — has been a point of contention. While the Lagos government’s advisory did not single out any ethnic group by name, media reports and public commentary have highlighted that leaders or groups adopting titles such as Eze Ndigbo and others without state sanction will be subject to legal action if they continue to parade themselves as titled heads within Lagos.
The statutory position regarding titles such as Eze Ndigbo in Lagos has precedent. Lagos courts have previously ruled on cases involving the unlawful assumption of chieftaincy titles. In one noted incident, a self‑styled Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate was prosecuted under the Obas and Chiefs Law for unlawfully parading himself as a traditional ruler in Lagos, reinforcing the legal position that such titles are not recognised unless duly approved under state law.
Critics of the policy caution that the enforcement approach must balance cultural expression with lawful governance. Some observers note that informal community leadership structures, particularly within Nigeria’s diverse ethnic mosaic, have evolved outside formal chieftaincy frameworks and serve social functions for diaspora groups. However, authorities maintain that any title conferring regal or traditional authority within Lagos must adhere to the codified legal processes and respect the jurisdictions of recognised traditional institutions.
Traditional institutions in Nigeria typically operate within clearly defined cultural and legal boundaries. Chieftaincy and monarchial titles such as Oba in Yoruba lands, Emir in northern regions, and Eze in Igbo communities are historically rooted in territorial governance systems and recognised by state and customary law frameworks. Titles that emerge outside these frameworks without formal recognition have long been a subject of legal scrutiny and debate, particularly in cosmopolitan states like Lagos where diverse ethnic groups coexist.
The Lagos State Government’s directive reflects an attempt to safeguard the integrity of traditional institutions and reduce potential conflicts arising from competing claims of authority. Officials also encouraged residents to report instances of unauthorised chieftaincy activities to the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development or to security agencies to ensure compliance and uphold public order.
While the policy emphasises legal compliance and respect for established cultural governance structures, it may fuel broader discussions about cultural identity, representation and legal pluralism in Nigeria’s urban centres, where informal leadership models have sometimes emerged in response to communal needs. Balancing legal frameworks with evolving community dynamics will be a key challenge for policymakers and traditional custodians alike as Lagos continues to navigate its complex multicultural environment.
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