Enimere Àkànbí
In the ongoing conversation about peace and stability in Nigeria, the role of our traditional rulers often comes into sharp focus. These institutions, deeply rooted in history and culture, are arguably the oldest form of governance we have, holding significant moral authority and influence, regardless of their constitutional role.
When we look at contemporary conflicts, especially those rooted in land disputes or inter-communal friction, the swift intervention of a respected traditional ruler can often de-escalate a crisis faster than political or security forces. This principle of leveraging moral authority for statutory stability is best demonstrated by the recent, decisive action taken by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, who formally inaugurated a five-member Legal Advisory Committee on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, to combat the persistent and violent menace of land grabbing (Ajagungbale) in his domain.
The severity of land grabbing is not just about civil trespass; it poses a serious threat to community harmony and economic security. Oba Ladoja explicitly warned that “hard times await land grabbers” responsible for damaging the city’s reputation. Importantly, the monarch viewed the issue not as isolated criminal acts but as a complex conflict, describing it as an “interlocking web of complex connections involving diverse interests that need to be unravelled”
This acknowledgment—that the problem involves professionals, security personnel, and even elements within the judiciary—is crucial for achieving lasting peace. To effectively harness the power of traditional institutions, we must see them as more than cultural figureheads; they need to be empowered—and held accountable—as key mediators and protectors of communal harmony, leading efforts to combat institutional corruption.
The composition and mandate of the Olubadan’s committee reflects a commitment to institutionalizing peace through legal reform. The five-member body, tasked with tackling the problem strictly from a legal perspective, includes renowned legal luminaries such as two Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), Chief Niyi Akintola and Barrister Musibau Adetunbi, alongside Yinka Okunade, Rahman Abiodun AbdulRaheem, and Tunji Thomas.
This ensures that the proposed solutions are legally sound and implementable at the state level. In a clear sign of urgency, the monarch directed the committee to commence work immediately and submit their comprehensive recommendations within a strict period of 21 days.
Furthermore, Oba Ladoja granted the members express liberty to co-opt professionals from relevant fields, including town planning, surveying, security agencies, and the judiciary, ensuring an interdisciplinary approach to tackling the roots of the fraud.
Oba Ladoja, clarified that the purpose of this strategic Legal Advisory Committee was specifically to strengthen the existing committee on land matters headed by Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori. This delineation establishes a dual-tiered structure for property protection, where the traditional arm provides local intelligence and mediation, while the legal arm develops the statutory instruments necessary for external state enforcement.
Re-examining the space traditional rulers occupy in our modern peace architecture is not about nostalgia; it’s about deploying a proven, locally resonant resource. Their ancient wisdom and local knowledge are indispensable tools, and this formal synergy ensures that traditional insights are effectively translated into actionable state law.
The ultimate policy goal emanating from the traditional council, and likely to be central to the committee’s work, is the proposal to establish anti-land-grabbing tribunals across all eleven Local Government Councils in Ibadanland.
This decentralization proposal is a strategic move for peace, aiming to ensure swift justice and enhanced deterrence against a menace that constantly puts citizens in harm’s way. By initiating this reform, the Olubadan has reinforced the belief that peaceful co-existence is not just an ideal, but a practical reality achievable through decisive, empowered traditional leadership.
Chief Amb Adeshina Kadri (PhD H.C)
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