The Lagos State Authorities has warned its residents towards the idea of chieftaincy titles with out official approval.
The state authorities declared that violators of this order will face arrest and prosecution beneath the Obas and Chiefs Regulation of Lagos State 2015.
This disclosure is contained in a public discover titled, ‘Prohibition of Unapproved Chieftaincy Titles In Lagos State’, issued by the Lagos State Commissioner for Native Authorities, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Growth, Bolaji Robert, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, in Lagos.
Robert described the development of self-proclaimed conventional rulers as an unhealthy improvement that’s inflicting rigidity, confusion, and pointless crises.
What the Lagos State Authorities is saying
Robert stated the scenario requires pressing motion to inject sanity and arrest the rising development of impunity, within the curiosity of peace, regulation, and order within the State, including that the preponderance of those self-acclaimed Chieftaincy titles has reached an alarming stage.
The commissioner stated, ‘’The eye of the Lagos State Authorities has been drawn to an unhealthy improvement the place some people or teams have assumed sure Chieftaincy titles, both on their very own or as leaders of ethnic teams, with out the approval of the State Authorities.
“These titles usually are not recognised within the State, and their use has triggered rigidity, confusion, and pointless crises. This case requires pressing motion to inject sanity and arrest the rising development of impunity, within the curiosity of peace, regulation, and order within the State.’’
He famous that because of the rising concern over self-acclaimed Chieftaincy titles, the Lagos state authorities, by this public discover, had determined to make clear and information Lagosians on the regulation governing Chieftaincy issues within the state, in addition to the necessity for adherence to the regulation.
‘’Whereas we recognise the proper of varied teams to nominate leaders to coordinate their affairs in Lagos State, the idea of Chieftaincy titles and nomenclatures equal to that of an “Oba” or appellations comparable to “His Royal Majesty”, “His Royal Highness” or its equal is in contravention of the extant Obas and Chiefs Regulation of Lagos State 2015 and is against the law,’ he stated.
Disaster prevention
The commissioner stated latest experiences have strengthened the necessity for extra drastic and stringent motion to guard and uphold the sanctity and integrity of the standard establishments within the State.
- He additionally identified that such motion by the federal government will stop the incidence of pointless crises and ethnic tensions in our communities and the State, which may come up from the unauthorised assumption of Chieftaincy titles and the attendant disregard for the regulation.
- Robert clarified that the suitable authority for the approval of Chieftaincy titles in Lagos State is the governor, by the Ministry of Native Authorities, Chieftaincy Affairs, and Rural Growth. He added that this provision is clearly outlined within the Obas and Chiefs Regulation of Lagos State 2015, sections 15, 16, 17, 18, and 20 of the regulation.
He stated, ‘’The State Authorities is about to implement the regulation, and henceforth convey violators to justice. It’s hereby notified for normal info that the one approving authority for Chieftaincy issues is the Governor of Lagos State. Any Chieftaincy title conferred with out the Governor’s approval is null and void. The Lagos State Authorities will not tolerate any contravention of the Obas and Chiefs Regulation of Lagos State 2015. Violators of this regulation might be prosecuted and, upon conviction, will face a punishment of two (2) years imprisonment, as prescribed by Part 21(1) and Part 21, Paragraph 2(d) of the Obas and Chiefs Regulation of Lagos State 2015.’’
What you must know
In a associated improvement, the Lagos State authorities had in June 2025, by a historic legislative intervention, moved to repeal and re-enact the Obas and Chiefs Regulation.
The invoice, which got here beneath intense overview, was extensively seen as a strategic try to convey readability, order, and authorized drive to the evolving roles of conventional rulers within the state’s fashionable administrative framework.
The invoice strengthened the authority of the governor over chieftaincy issues, criminalized unauthorised installations, and launched vital improvements that might reshape the way forward for conventional management within the state.
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