Traditional Authority and Security in Contemporary Nigeria

David Ehrhardt is Associate Professor of International Development at Leiden University, The Netherlands. His main research interests are African governance and educational innovation. David has published extensively on Nigeria and co-leads the Learning Mindset innovation project. He recently co-edited a Special Issue in the Journal of International Development on brokerage, development, and conflict. ORCID ID: 0000-0002-9159-3838 David Oladimeji Alao is a Professor in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, and Chief of Staff to the President/Vice Chancellor, Babcock University, Ogun State, Nigeria. Prof. Alao has authored several articles and 3 edited books. ORCID ID: 0000-0001-9158-8900 M. Sani Umar is a professor in the Department of History and Diplomatic Studies, University of Abuja, Nigeria. His research centres on religious violence and peace building, with a focus on understanding the roots of religious conflict and the dynamics of religious pluralism.

Introduction 1. Traditional authority, security governance, and Nigerian agency Part I: Continuity and Change 2. Assessing the capacity of traditional institutions and authorities in maintaining security and peace: A historical perspective 3. The changing roles of traditional authorities in security management: A case-study of the Benin area of Edo State 4. Female traditional institutions and the travails of conflict management, peace, and security in Ekiti society 5. The diminishing relevance of traditional rulers and securitization in the South West 6. The changing roles of traditional authorities in conflict, security and peacebuilding in Katagum and Misau Emirate Councils in Bauchi State Part II: Contemporary Problems and Solutions 7. Importing militant jihadists: Analysing the response of traditional authorities to Muslim youth extremism in the Nigeria-Niger border areas of Sokoto State 8. Traditional institutions and the management of herders-farmers conflicts in Nasarawa State 9. Traditional rulers and the Amotekun Regional Security Network in the South West 10. Traditional authority and grassroots’ peace-building mechanisms in Lagos 11. Politicisation of the appointment of traditional rulers and the challenges of conflict and security management in Umuahia, Abia State Conclusion 12. Creative genius in postcolonial Nigeria: Re-imagining traditional rulership at a safe distance from politics