Nigeria is a federal republic with a president, parliament, and modern state institutions. Yet across the country, powerful kingdoms remain under the rule of traditional monarchs. From the Emir of Kano to the Ooni of Ife, the Oba of Benin to the Sultan of Sokoto, these figures command respect, loyalty, and influence that transcend centuries of history. The question is: why do these monarchies still thrive in a nation that already has a head of state?

The Legacy of Pre-Colonial Kingdoms

Long before Nigeria was stitched together as a nation-state, the land was home to powerful kingdoms and empires. The Benin Kingdom, Oyo Empire, Kanem-Bornu, and Hausa city-states had established political, spiritual, and economic systems. These rulers were not ceremonial; they were the heartbeat of governance, law, and culture.

When colonialists arrived, instead of dismantling these kingdoms, they co-opted them. Traditional rulers became intermediaries between colonial governments and the people, preserving their institutions while adjusting their roles.

Traditional Rulers in a Modern Republic

Today, Nigeria’s 36 states are run by governors, with Abuja as the federal seat of power. Yet traditional rulers remain relevant because they carry legitimacy no politician can replicate. Their power comes from ancestral lineage, cultural heritage, and the deep trust of their communities.

While they have no constitutional authority to make laws or collect taxes, they shape local affairs in ways the formal government cannot. They mediate disputes, settle land issues, preserve cultural heritage, and mobilize people during crises. Their voices matter in elections, security discussions, and religious harmony.

Why People Still Respect the Kings

In rural Nigeria, the presence of a king is often more tangible than that of the government. Citizens can walk into a palace to petition their ruler — something unimaginable with politicians in Abuja. Monarchs are seen as custodians of tradition, religion, and moral order. Their palaces are symbols of continuity in a country where political leadership changes every four years.

Many Nigerians see these rulers as stabilizing forces. When political tensions rise, traditional leaders are often called upon to calm unrest. Their spiritual significance adds another layer of authority that transcends modern politics.

Conflict and Coexistence

Yet, the existence of kings within a republic is not without tension. Some argue that monarchies perpetuate inequality and do not align with democratic ideals. Politicians sometimes clash with kings over land, resources, or influence. Nonetheless, both systems have found a way to coexist: the government sets the law, but kings remain the keepers of identity and continuity.

Conclusion

Nigeria’s kings endure because they are more than rulers — they are living institutions of memory, heritage, and identity. Their thrones are not just about political power but about culture, unity, and legitimacy. In a republic governed by presidents and parliaments, the kingdoms remind Nigerians of who they were before the state was born, and why tradition still matters in shaping the nation’s future.