Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: During the pre-colonial era of Lagos’ history, the institution of traditional leadership held sacred significance. However, the advent of colonial rule marked a significant shift. The present study employs the theoretical framework of Decolonial Theory and Settler Colonialism, as advanced by Patrick Wolfe and Lorenzo Veracini. This theoretical framework is particularly useful in examining how colonial interventions in traditional leadership structures continue to affect Lagos today, especially in religion, law, civil authorities, and traditional leadership per se. Notable events such as the dethronement of king Kosoko have underscored these tensions. By researching primary sources, such as newspapers, oral histories, and archival records, along with secondary sources, such as books and internet materials, the authors have analysed a significant amount of data, which support the thesis that the intervention of civil and political authority in the traditional process of selecting kings in Lagos has diminished the sacred nature of the enthronement process. The findings showed that the shift from the traditional process of Obaship to the modern method has breed conflict without providing workable way outs. Thus, the paper recommends that, in order to curb the conflicts over the enthronement of Obas in Lagos, there should be a clear succession plan and an equilibrium between tradition and modern governance, creating space for dialogue.
Authors: J.M. Talabi, D. Oguntola-Laguda, J.O. Akinyele
Institution: Lagos State University
Language: English
Subfield: Anthropology
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4410098654