By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo
The renowned legal luminary and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Kunle Adegoke (popularly known as K-RAD), has called for the urgent constitutional recognition of traditional rulers in Nigeria,
He warned that failure to do so may continue to weaken grassroots governance and national security efforts
Delivering a public lecture to mark the 15th coronation anniversary of the Ataoja of Osogbo land, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun held at
Osun State University, Osogbo, Mr Adegoke made a passionate case for the integration of traditional institutions into Nigeria’s formal governance framework
He described traditional institution as “indispensable agents of peace, justice, and community development.”
The keynote speaker urged the National Assembly to expedite ongoing constitutional reforms that would establish a National Council of Traditional Rulers, State Councils of Chiefs, and Local Government Traditional Councils with advisory and developmental roles.
He proposed that these bodies be granted financial autonomy and constitutional protections to shield traditional rulers from undue political interference, adding that their historical roles in conflict resolution and community leadership remain unmatched.
One of the strongest points in Adegoke’s address was the call for the formal incorporation of traditional rulers into Nigeria’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) system, particularly in matters of customary law and land use.
“Traditional rulers have always settled disputes based on reconciliation, forgiveness, and community healing — values deeply rooted in our culture. We must institutionalise this role to enhance access to justice, especially in rural communities,” he said.
He cited successful models like Rwanda’s Gacaca courts and Ghana’s ADR programmes as evidence that traditional mechanisms, when structured and backed by law, can strengthen democratic stability and reduce the burden on conventional courts.
Adegoke also recommended assigning traditional institutions the role of resident registration, a move he believes will improve intelligence gathering, foster peaceful cohabitation, and curb rising insecurity.
“Their proximity to the people enables real-time tracking of strangers and suspicious activity — something modern security agencies cannot do effectively without local support,” he said.
He added that such inclusion could help reform Nigeria’s citizenship framework, granting long-term residents more rights and reducing the settler-indigene tensions that have fueled communal conflicts across the country.
While acknowledging the symbolic presence traditional rulers still hold in society, Adegoke stressed that mere symbolism without constitutional authority is no longer sufficient in today’s complex governance and security landscape.
“Our traditional rulers are more than ceremonial figures; they are custodians of culture, peace-builders, and frontline responders in local crises. We must do the needful and let our society develop,” he concluded.