Lagos Govt Clamps Down on Illegal Chieftaincy Titles, Vows to Prosecute Offenders with 2-Year Imprisonment

The Lagos State Government has issued a stern warning to individuals and groups parading unauthorised chieftaincy titles, describing the trend as a blatant violation of the law that breeds tension, confusion, and ethnic crises across the state. In a public advisory released on Monday, the government emphasized that only titles approved by the Governor through the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs, and Rural Development are recognized, with violators facing up to two years in prison.

The advisory, signed by the Honourable Commissioner for the ministry, Mr. Bolaji Kayode Robert, highlighted the alarming rise in self-acclaimed chiefs who adopt royal appellations such as “Oba,” “His Royal Majesty,” or “His Royal Highness” without official sanction. “These titles are not recognised in the State and their use has caused tension, confusion, and needless crisis,” the statement read, stressing the need for urgent action to maintain peace and order in Lagos, Nigeria’s economic powerhouse and melting pot of diverse ethnic groups.

According to the government, this move is anchored on the Obas and Chiefs Law of Lagos State 2015, which clearly outlines procedures for chieftaincy approvals under Sections 15, 16, 17, 18, and 20. Section 21 and 23 explicitly prohibit the use of royal paraphernalia like beaded crowns, shoes, staffs, or horse whisks (irukere) by unauthorized persons. “The State Government is set to enforce the law and henceforth, bring violators to justice,” Robert declared, urging all ethnic associations to appoint leaders without infringing on traditional royal nomenclatures.

This crackdown comes amid growing concerns over ethnic titles such as “Eze Ndigbo” (Igbo king) and “Seriki” (Hausa leader), which have sparked controversies in recent years. As earlier reported by NaijaChoice News, similar disputes led to court cases, including a testimony in the Lagos High Court where a state official affirmed that the “Eze Ndigbo” title is illegal under Lagos laws. In one instance, the Badagry Local Government halted the construction of an “Eze Ndi-Igbo” palace, deeming the title unlawful and stopping associated fundraising activities.

Public reactions on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) have been mixed, with some users hailing the government’s stance as a step towards preserving cultural integrity. One post from @okoidennis described the advisory as “long overdue,” accusing fake chiefs of fueling land scams and ethnic tensions. Another user, @001Xtasy, echoed this sentiment, stating, “People need to stop this nonsense. You can’t just put on a chieftaincy title for show. Lagos government is right this is illegal and can cause trouble.” However, critics argue it could stifle ethnic coordination in a cosmopolitan city like Lagos.

The government has called on residents to report any unauthorized installations to the ministry or security agencies, promising swift arrests and prosecutions. “All those illegally holding such Chieftaincy titles are hereby advised to desist from parading themselves as such,” the advisory concluded, warning of legal consequences for non-compliance.

NaijaChoice News understands that this advisory builds on previous efforts to regulate chieftaincy matters, including bans on certain installations reported by outlets like Daily Post and Punch Newspapers. With Lagos hosting multifarious ethnic nationalities, experts say enforcing this law is crucial to preventing disrepute to traditional institutions and avoiding needless communal clashes.