The Enduring Role of Traditional Rulers in Infrastructure Maintenance in Nigeria

By Tunde Akingbulugbe

Traditional rulers have long been the pillars of Nigerian society, guardians of culture, customs, and community welfare. Historically, these respected leaders played a crucial role in maintaining essential infrastructure vital to daily life within their domains. From pre-colonial times, they oversaw the upkeep of markets, sacred groves, roads connecting communities, and defense structures such as moats—many of which are still visible today in historic cities like Kano and Benin.

The colonial era further entrenched the importance of traditional rulers by integrating them into the indirect rule system, recognizing their deep influence within communities. Acting as intermediaries between the colonial government and the people, traditional rulers ensured that local governance and infrastructural concerns were managed effectively at the grassroots level.

However, in recent decades, the role of traditional rulers in infrastructure maintenance has been diminished. Governments at various levels have relegated these custodians and their traditional functions to the background, resulting in the neglect and decay of public infrastructure projects soon after their commissioning. This neglect creates an urgent need to reconsider and revitalize the roles of traditional rulers in safeguarding community assets.

Traditional rulers remain uniquely positioned to contribute meaningfully to the maintenance and development of infrastructure in Nigeria. Their close relationship with the people allows them to mobilize community resources effectively, encourage participation in upkeep activities, and monitor infrastructure condition firsthand. Furthermore, they can facilitate partnerships between communities and outside organizations such as government agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), securing funding and technical expertise essential for sustainable development.

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Several specific roles traditional rulers play today include:

• Mobilizing Community Resources: Rallying locals to participate in activities such as road cleaning and drain clearance to prevent infrastructural damage.
• Providing Land for Projects: Offering communal land for the construction of schools, health centers, and road networks.
• Facilitating Partnerships: Bridging the gap between communities and development partners to ensure infrastructure projects receive adequate support.
• Ensuring Sustainability: Promoting community ownership of infrastructure projects to guarantee ongoing maintenance and protection.

Despite their continued contributions, traditional rulers face significant challenges. Limited financial and material resources restrict their capacity to influence infrastructure upkeep actively. Moreover, formal authority over infrastructure management often lies with government agencies, limiting the decision-making power of traditional institutions. Competing priorities such as poverty alleviation and public health emergencies further strain their focus and resources.

To harness the full potential of traditional rulers in infrastructure maintenance, it is imperative to foster robust collaborations between these institutions, government bodies, civil society, and development partners. Providing traditional rulers with formal recognition, adequate resources, and empowerment will enable them to act as effective custodians, ensuring that community infrastructure remains functional and sustainable.

In conclusion, traditional rulers remain vital in promoting infrastructure maintenance, preserving cultural heritage, and fostering community development in Nigeria. Revitalizing their role through strategic partnerships and resource allocation is essential if the country is to overcome its infrastructure challenges and achieve sustainable growth at the grassroots level.