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Nigeria: Whether each state has a Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; if so, its jurisdictions (July 2004)

Two American university professors [for further information on their publications, see NGA42747.FE of 9 July 2004] indicated in 28 June 2004 correspondence that, in Nigeria, the institution of chieftaincy varies from community to community (Professor of anthropology 28 June 2004; Professor of religion 28 June 2004). They added that each state has a Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs (ibid.; Professor of anthropology 28 June 2004).

In its February 2003 report on Nigeria, Human Rights Watch (HRW) explained that "many ethnic groups and communities have traditional leaders or chiefs, who are chosen according to different traditions in different parts of the country." The report also indicated that traditional leaders are recognized by the Nigerian government with which they operate and have considerable influence, especially at the local level (HRW Feb. 2003).

In describing the mandate of a Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the professor of anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania explained that bureaucrats are responsible for bringing disputants together, holding hearings and trying to find a solution to the frequent disputes related to chieftaincy (28 June 2004).

According to the Internet site of the Enugu State [one of the 36 states in Nigeria], the Ministry of Chieftaincy Matters "co-ordinates the activities of the Traditional Rulers in the state, . . . supervises the selection of the Traditional Rulers in the various Autonomous Communities in the state and ensures that the selection conforms with the existing rules and laws, . . . assists in the settlement of disputes among the Traditional Rulers and disputes between Traditional Rulers and their subjects, . . . [and] heads the welfare of all the Government Recognized Traditional Rulers, including payment of their monthly stipends and allowances" (Enugu State n.d.).

A Delta State activity report for 29 May 1999 to 28 May 2003, available on the state's Internet site, indicates that the responsibilities of the Department of Chieftaincy Affairs include appointing and paying chiefs, registering and issuing chieftaincy certificates, handling litigations on chieftaincy matters and reviewing chieftaincy laws (Delta State n.d.).

According to the information on the Akwa Ibom State Internet site, the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs is mainly responsible for the supervision of operations of the local government councils and the "classification, recognition, discipline, remuneration and general welfare of Traditional Rulers in the state" (Akwa Ibom State n.d.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Akwa Ibom State. n.d. "Ministry of Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs." <http://www.akwaibomstategov.com/localgovernments.html> [Accessed 6 July 2004]

Delta State. n.d. "Directorate of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, End of Administration Status Reports (29th May, 1999-28th May, 2003)." <http://www.deltastate.gov.ng/chieftancyreport220703.htm> [Accessed 5 July 2004]

Enugu State. n.d. "Enugu State Ministry of Chieftaincy Matters." <http://www.enugu.gov.ng/ministries/chieftaincy_ministry.html> [Accessed 5 July 2004]

Human Rights Watch (HRW). February 2003. Vol. 15, No. 4. "The O'odua People's Congress: Fighting Violence with Violence." <http://www.hrw.org/reports/2003/nigeria0203/index.htm#TopOfPage> [Accessed 6 July 2004]

Professor of anthropology and Director of the Centre of African Studies, University of Pennsylvania. 28 June 2004. Correspondence.

Professor of religion and Chair of African American and African Studies, University of California at Davis. 28 June 2004. Correspondence.

Additional Sources Consulted

Two university experts in African traditions were unable to provide information on chieftaincy in Nigeria.

The author of Igbo 'Traditional Rulers': Chieftaincy and the State in Southeastern Nigeria, and Chair of the Heinrich Böll Foundation, Nigeria branch, did not provide any information within time constraints.

The Nigeria High Commission in Ottawa did not provide any information within time constraints.

Internet sites, including: AllAfrica, Amnesty International, BBC Africa, Ecoi.net, HRW, Heinrich Böll Foundation, Indigenous Knowledge Network, Newswatch Nigeria, Nigeria Daily.