TRADITIONAL RULERS IN MODERN GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA: AN ANALYTICAL DISCOURSE

Abstract

There are divergent views by Nigerians on the relevance or otherwise of the traditional
rulership institution to modern public administration, nation building, national
development and possibility of its integration to local administration in Nigeria. This
paper focused on the relevance of traditional rulership institution in public administration
from the pre colonial era to the present administration as legitimized by the 1999
constitution of Nigeria. The conclusion reached by this study revealed that the systemic
erosion of the powers and authorities of the traditional institution in public administration
started during the colonial era and has dwindled more, even in post colonial Nigeria,
both under the military and civilian governments. The study argued that in spite of
attempts to fizzle out the traditional rulership institution by successive administrations,
their impact is very visible in the local administration of their various domains. Traditional
rulers have also played noticeable roles in nation building and assisted in propelling
national development in Nigeria. Data for this study was sourced extensively from
content analysis. The study recommends an integration of the traditional rulership
institution in modern local administration in Nigeria. It is also recommended that
constitutional roles be assigned to traditional rulers in local administration in Nigeria.