Nigerian traditional rulers

Although they do not have formal political power, in many cases they continue to command respect from their people and have considerable influence in their community.

[6] Europeans had long traded with the coastal states, primarily exchanging cotton and other manufactured goods for slaves and palm oil products at centers such as Calabar, Bonny and Lagos.

During the period 1879–1900 the Royal Niger Company made a concerted effort to take control of the interior, using disciplined troops armed with the Maxim gun, and making treaties of "protection" with the local rulers.

[7][8] The first British High Commissioner for Northern Nigeria, Lord Frederick Lugard, tried to rule through the traditional rulers, and this approach was later extended to the south.

For example, the Tiv people, at the time the fourth largest ethnic group in the country, had always been extremely decentralized and therefore had no paramount ruler.

Where rulers had previously acquired office strictly through inheritance or through appointment by a council of elders, the government now increasingly became involved in the succession.

Although they have no formal role in the democratic structure, there is intense competition for royal seats amongst the finite pool of eligible dynasts.

[16] One reason for their influence may be that the people of many ethnic groups have limited ability to communicate in the official English language, so the traditional ruler serves as an interpreter and spokesperson.

The chairman of the Akwa Ibom Council of Chiefs said that in return, the traditional fathers were responsible for preventing robberies and kidnappings in their domains.

An example is the Aku Uka of the Kwararafa kingdom, traditional ruler of the Jukun, whose seat is in Wukari, Taraba state.

Obas are traditional rulers presiding over specific towns or regions in Yorubaland, which spans parts of southwestern Nigeria and neighboring areas.

Renowned Obas, such as the Ooni of Ife and the Alaafin of Oyo, hold particular historical and spiritual significance, connecting the Yoruba people to their rich ancestral lineage.