Nigeria, home to the world’s highest number of monarchies, must abolish its outdated system of tribal kings. These monarchies, created by colonial powers to serve their interests, divide citizen loyalty and hinder national unity. Nigerian citizens should no longer be subjected to anachronistic rulers whose relevance has long expired.
The Illusion of Royalty
Recently, social media was abuzz with admiration for the 14th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, despite his hidden face behind regal attire. This admiration is misplaced, as monarchs like Sanusi symbolize the remnants of colonial manipulation rather than cultural pride. Though once an admired intellectual and financial expert, his transition to monarchy only solidified archaic traditions such as polygamy, which devalues women’s rights and autonomy.
Polygamy, deeply intertwined with Nigerian monarchies, is a relic of past economic structures. In ancient Yoruba society, polygamous households functioned as economic and political units, but today, they hinder gender equality and individual progress. Monarchies are rooted in a system that suppresses women’s development by sustaining outdated gender roles.
Meritocracy vs. Monarchy
Nigerian-Americans have been ranked as the most successful and educated ethnic group in the United States. This success stems from an environment where merit prevails over nepotism and privilege. In contrast, Nigeria remains shackled to systems that prioritize lineage over ability. The presence of monarchs who wield power based on birthright rather than merit directly undermines national progress.
The very structure of Nigerian monarchy contradicts the ideals of a republic. Nigeria claims to be a democracy where every citizen is equal, yet tribal kings rule over their subjects with undue influence. This duality creates divided loyalties: should a citizen obey their monarch or their elected government? True democracy cannot coexist with inherited power.
Colonial Puppets in Indigenous Robes
Some argue that abolishing monarchies is an attack on indigenous traditions, but history reveals otherwise. The British re-engineered many of these institutions for their colonial rule. Monarchs were not just tolerated but actively installed to help enforce indirect rule. The British found willing collaborators among tribal kings, using them to collect taxes and control the populace. In the north, colonial authorities supported the Sokoto Caliphate, believing the Fulani rulers had ‘superior’ bloodlines. In Yorubaland, the British deposed and replaced resistant obas, using gunboat diplomacy to secure obedience.
Igboland, historically an egalitarian society, had no central kingship, but the British imposed warrant chiefs to replicate their control model. The monarchs of today are largely remnants of these colonial structures, not authentic African governance systems.
Abolishing the Monarchy for a United Nigeria
Nigeria’s monarchies are relics of a bygone era, reinforcing outdated class hierarchies that contradict the principles of democracy. The continued existence of these institutions hinders the full realization of Nigerian identity. Tribal rulers limit national loyalty and sustain archaic divisions that slow progress.
The world has moved beyond hereditary rule. Even great empires like the Russian Tsars and the Ottoman Sultans have been relegated to history. Nigerian monarchs should follow suit, taking their place in museums and textbooks rather than in governance.
For Nigeria to truly become a republic in spirit and practice, it must end the rule of kings and embrace a future built on meritocracy, equality, and unity.
