The Nigerian Senate on Thursday, March 13, 2025, passed the second reading of a bill seeking to establish the National Council for Traditional Rulers, which would formally assign constitutional roles to monarchs and community leaders.
Sponsored by Senator Simon Lalong (Plateau South), the bill has sparked debate among lawmakers, with concerns raised about potential conflicts between the roles of traditional rulers and elected local government officials. However, Lalong argued that traditional leaders, many of whom are well-educated, could provide valuable insights on security and governance.
“Whenever crises occur, people often blame traditional rulers because they know everyone in their communities, including criminals. But we expect them to act without giving them formal responsibilities,” Lalong stated, emphasizing that they should be officially recognized as stakeholders in governance.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio supported the bill but stressed the need for clear role definitions to prevent conflicts with existing government structures. He also proposed a public hearing to gather input before the bill proceeds to a third reading.
The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Establishment, which is expected to submit its report within four weeks.
