Salaries of Kings & Traditional Rulers in Nigeria (2024)
With more than 500 tribes and ethnic groups making up Nigeria, there are many traditional rulers in that manner. The country has different first class traditional rulers and kings who are powerful and honorable people among their subjects. This owes generally to their position in the general public, and the measure of wealth they’ve had the option to accumulate over the long run. Normally, traditional rulers are also paid just like other government officials. Due to how noble traditional rulers’ position are, information on their earnings is limited. In answering to many queries on this, our article will highlight the estimated salaries of kings and traditional rulers in the country.
Nigeria is a very populous country with a lot of people living in it area. Altogether there are in excess of half a thousand of ethnic groups. Currently, the country envelops a multitude of people from different background. This results to different ethnic groups with altogether different dialects, culture, and rulers. In expansive terms, the southeast is occupied basically by the Igbo speaking tribe, the Niger Delta region by the Edo, ijaw related people, the southwest by Yoruba and the north by Hausa and Fulani people, with a complex conglomerate of various ethnic groups in the Middle Belt amongst other tribes.
DIFFERENT KINGS AND TRADITIONAL RULERS IN NIGERIA
Before we delve into the salaries of Nigerian kings, note that various ethnic groups in Nigeria have their respective traditional rulers and kings that represents and rule them. Also, there are numerous titles for these traditional rulers.
In the northern Muslim states, the Emir is the topmost traditional ruler that is recognized in most parts of the region. However, other kings names in the region incorporate Sarki, Shehu, Mai, Etsu and Lamido. Going down to the Middle Belt of the country, various innumerable titles are held by traditional rulers. The Aku Uka is the king of Kwararafa tribe, and the traditional ruler of the Jukun is also this leader, whose seat is in Wukari, Taraba state. Agwam is the name for the king among the Atyap people, Kpop among the Ham; Agwom among the Adara, Afizere, Bakulu and Gbong Gwom by the Berom in southern Kaduna State and Plateau State. The Tiv people recognizes their king as Tor and Oche by the Idoma of the same Benue State. Long and Ngolong are utilized by the Goemai and Ngas, separately, and Ponzhi is used by the Tarok, all of Plateau State.
Still in the middle section of the country, the Ebira people of Kogi and Nasarawa States recognizes Ohinoyi and Ohimegye. Ere is known by the Koro Wachi; Are by the Eggon, Etum and Tum is the king of the Numana, Ninzam, Nikyob-Nindem; Chun by the Mada all of southern Kaduna and Nasarawa States. Attah or Onu is the name of the traditional ruler of the Igala people of Kogi State and Etsu is used by the Nupe of Kogi, Niger, Kwara and Abuja just as the Dibo, Kakanda, BassaNge and Gbagyi in the middle belt of the country.
A move to the southern part, Oba is the title of the Benin Kingdom’s traditional ruler in Edo State. Enogie and Okao are credited to his dukes and emissaries inside the Benin Kingdom. Practically speaking, enigie are not introduced in as kings with ikao, as they are both customary rulers and delegates of the Oba, responsible of the organization of their particular kingdoms. Onojie is the name of the traditional ruler of the Esan people groups to allude to their different rulers in Edo State, while the Afamai people use Otaru and Okwokpellagbe.
Additionally, Oba is a very popular name for kings in Yoruba land. The people allude to their different rulers, however different titles, for example, Ooni, Alake, Alaafin, Awujale, Olomu, Akarigbo, Orangun, Olu’wo, Eleko, Olumushin and Eburu are likewise used. There are also honored chiefs who sometimes keeps the place as traditional rulers in this region.
In the southeast, Obi, Igwe and Eze are basic titles among Igbo traditional rulers. That’s not all, as there are numerous nearby titles among their nearby neighbors, for example, the Ijaw’s Amanyanabo.
Moving downward to the southern tip of the country, there are numbers of traditional rulers and kings. Among the Urhobos and Isokos of Delta State, the overall title used by their kings is Ovie. A few tribes utilize related titles be that as it may, like Orodje, Orosuen, Ohworode, Odion-Ologbo, and Odio r’Ode.
If you go to coastal states like Cross River and Akwa Ibom, there is their own distinctive traditional rulers. Obong is in like manner use by the Ibibio, Efik and Annang people groups of the two states.
SALARIES OF KINGS/TRADITIONAL RULERS IN NIGERIA
Definitely, you stumble upon this web page because you are looking for information on the salaries of kings and traditional rulers in Nigeria. Even as there is an iota of details on the salary figures of these traditional rulers in the country, we will try to get you the estimated salaries of traditional rulers in the country.
At first, note that all the traditional rulers in the country do not earn the same amount of money as salary. The salary is given depending on the rank of the ruler. Going this way, the Emirs are the most paid traditional rulers in Nigeria. This is possible due to the fact that they rule a large area occupying a dominant group of people.
HOW MUCH DOES A TRADITIONAL RULER EARN AS SALARY IN NIGERIA?
In Nigeria, the estimated least salary of an Emir is around ₦2 million, exclusive of allowances and personal earnings. Obas in the country have a salary range of ₦700,000 to ₦3 million on estimate. In the south east, Obi’s and Eze’s has an estimated salary range of ₦500,000 to ₦3 million. Others like Obongs, Ovies, Amanyanabos and Tors, earn in the region of ₦300,000 to ₦2 million as salary on estimate.
Note: These figures are estimated salary of kings and traditional rulers in Nigeria. And, there may be a slight deviation from what these rulers in reality.
CONCLUSION
As final words, it’s ideal to note that Nigerian traditional rulers got their titles from the leaders of independent states or communities that existed before the emergence of present day Nigeria. Despite the fact that they don’t have formal political power, by and large they keep on commanding respect to their subjects and they have extensive influence as well. These traditional rulers are known to posses great amount of wealth due to their position. This article try to make known how much they earn as salaries.
