From left, Orangun of Oke Ila, Aba Abolarin, Senator Ojudu, Olagunsoye Oyinlola and other dignitaries

By Babafemi Ojudu

It is a great honor to stand before you this morning to discuss a matter of utmost importance. This initiative you have embarked upon is groundbreaking—not only in its creativity but also in its potential to safeguard the very institution you represent. If pursued with commitment, it could be the key to preserving the relevance and authority of traditional leadership in Nigeria.

Our fathers, you deserve commendation for coming together to address matters of concern in your domains. But let this effort not be restricted to Osun State alone. Spread the word. Recommend this initiative to your colleagues in other Yoruba states and, if possible, across the country.

A Nation in Crisis

We must speak plainly: Nigeria is in crisis. Only those who have chosen to be deaf and blind to reality would argue otherwise. The patience of Nigerians is being tested like never before, and many are reaching their breaking point. If things continue to deteriorate, the consequences could be dire. Should unrest erupt—God forbid—those who wield authority, whether political or traditional, will inevitably become targets of public frustration.

Your Majesties, because you are the closest to the people, you may be the first to bear the brunt of their anger.

Recently, a former colleague of mine in the Senate called to check on me. He said, “Distinguished, I hope you are doing fine and always carrying your passport wherever you go.” I asked him why, and he responded, “This country, with the way things are going, is getting to a boiling point. If trouble comes, anyone who has ever held power or benefitted from the system will be in danger.”

His words struck me. The politicians—ever the cunning foxes—are already contemplating their escape from the disaster they have caused. Some are spending huge sum of dollars to buy citizenship of other Nations for themselves and their families, a safe haven for them and their loots should their be an uprising in our country. Meanwhile, traditional rulers, bound by duty and history, remain in their palaces, basking in the dignity of their offices. But dignity alone will not be enough when the people rise in anger.

Lessons from History

History has shown that when traditional institutions neglect their duty to the people, they risk being swept away in moments of upheaval. Two of the most striking examples come from France and Russia, where centuries-old monarchies collapsed under the weight of their own detachment.

• In 18th-century France, the monarchy lived in extravagance while the people suffered under crushing taxes, food shortages, and economic hardship. King Louis XVI and his court at Versailles ignored the growing discontent. When the burden became unbearable, the people revolted in 1789. The monarchy was overthrown, and both the King and Queen Marie Antoinette were executed.
• In early 20th-century Russia, Tsar Nicholas II ruled with absolute power while his people endured poverty, war, and repression. He ignored repeated calls for reform. By 1917, mass discontent exploded into the Russian Revolution, toppling the Romanov dynasty. The Tsar and his family were executed, and the monarchy was erased from history.

In both cases, the rulers did not merely lose their thrones; they became symbols of oppression, despised by the very people they once ruled. The lesson is clear: when leaders fail to address the suffering of their people, the people will eventually turn against them.

A Brewing Storm in Nigeria

Your Majesties, Nigeria is dangerously close to such a moment. The signs of growing discontent are everywhere:

• Runaway Inflation: The prices of essential goods—food, fuel, and medicine—are skyrocketing beyond the reach of ordinary citizens, while wages remain stagnant.
• Mass Unemployment: Youth unemployment is at a catastrophic level, with millions of young people left idle and hopeless.
• Worsening Poverty: A staggering number of Nigerians now live below the poverty line, struggling daily to afford even basic necessities.
• Rising Insecurity: Kidnappings, banditry, and communal conflicts are on the rise as economic hardship drives people to desperate measures.
• Collapse of Trust in Leadership: Many feel abandoned by the political elite, leading to growing disillusionment, agitation, and in some cases, calls for drastic action.

When economic hardship and social frustration reach a tipping point, revolutions happen. Nigeria is not immune. If people feel they have no future, no opportunities, and no leadership to turn to, they will eventually take matters into their own hands—with unpredictable and possibly catastrophic consequences.

The Role of Traditional Rulers in Preventing Crisis

Your Majesties, you are more than custodians of tradition. You are the closest link between the government and the people. In times past, Obas were not just cultural figures; they were economic organizers, protectors of their communities, and enforcers of justice. It is time to reclaim that role.

Before the arrival of colonial rule, your forefathers:

• Governed their towns and villages effectively,
• Provided for the weak and the needy,
• Ensured security and went to war against aggressors,
• Cared for the elderly,
• Built roads and markets,
• Tried and punished criminals,
• Established systems of checks and balances to prevent tyranny.

If modern government, as inherited from the colonial masters, is failing—or has already failed—should you stand idly by, waiting for the collapse to consume you?

Practical Steps for Traditional Rulers

Your Majesties, I propose practical steps that you can take to prevent despair from turning into rebellion:

1. Economic Empowerment Initiatives

• Establish community cooperatives that provide small loans to traders, artisans, and farmers.
• Create local apprenticeship programs to train young people in practical skills such as farming, carpentry, tailoring, and digital services.
• Encourage wealthy individuals in your communities to invest in small businesses and support local enterprises.

2. Food Security and Agriculture Revival

• Mobilize youth into agribusiness cooperatives with access to land, farming tools, and training.
• Partner with state and private organizations to provide subsidized seeds, fertilizers, and modern farming techniques.
• Support community-driven food banks to assist the most vulnerable.

3. Job Creation Through Local Industries

• Revive traditional industries such as Adire textile production, blacksmithing, and bead-making with modern marketing strategies.
• Establish cultural tourism initiatives to attract visitors and create jobs around heritage sites and festivals.
• Advocate for companies to set up small-scale processing factories in local areas to boost employment.

4. Security and Community Vigilance

• Strengthen local vigilante networks in collaboration with law enforcement to curb insecurity.
• Promote community dispute resolution mechanisms to prevent conflicts from escalating into violence.

5. Youth Engagement and Leadership Development

• Hold regular town hall meetings to hear young people’s grievances and ideas.
• Create youth councils under traditional rulers to involve them in decision-making.
• Promote sports, arts, and creative initiatives to channel their energy into productive activities.

A Call to Action

Your Majesties, Nigeria stands at a crossroads. If economic hardship continues unchecked, public anger will turn against all institutions of authority—including the traditional monarchy. But you have the power to change the course of history.

When people see that their Obas are actively working to improve their lives, they will rally behind you. But if they feel abandoned, history warns us of what happens when despair turns into rebellion.

The choice is clear: act now, or risk being swept away by the tide of history.

Let us not allow our thrones to become mere symbols of past glory. Let us make them instruments of hope, stability, and leadership.

I thank you.

– This is an excerpt from a lecture delivered to the Network of Obas from Osun State Countryside on Sunday March 8 at Ile-Ife.