To restore cultural balance, promote stability and reaffirm national identity, the NBP will institutionalize and modernize the chieftaincy system, making it an integral, recognized and respected arm of community-level governance.

Modernization of Traditional Tribunals Across the Country

Under this ambitious initiative, the NBP will ensure the construction of traditional chief courts across all the districts in the country. These courthouses will serve as formal spaces where local chiefs can conduct hearings and mediate disputes within the jurisdiction of customary law. 

The tribunals will be equipped with Proper seating and hearing rooms; case recordkeeping systems, legal resource materials on customary law and training rooms for paralegal support staff.

Each court will be linked to the Ministry of Justice and the local government authority to ensure transparency, standardization, and record-keeping while maintaining the traditional character of the proceedings.

Legislative Protection and Empowerment of Chiefs

The NBP will introduce a “District Chiefs Empowerment and Governance Act” through the National Assembly. This legislation will:

• Legally recognize the jurisdiction of district chiefs to preside over local disputes related to land, inheritance, family disagreements, minor offenses and customary rites.
• Define limits and boundaries of chieftaincy authority to avoid conflicts with magistrate courts.
• Allow the chief to refer to unresolved or complex matters to the formal legal system with written recommendations.
• Establish ethical guidelines and procedural standards for traditional courts to prevent abuse and ensure fairness, especially in sensitive family and inheritance matters.
• Create an oversight mechanism to investigate complaints against chiefs and protect community members’ rights.

This legislation will empower chiefs while ensuring consistency with the national legal framework.

The Government will construct Permanent State-Owned Residences for all active Serving Chiefs. To further institutionalize the status of local chiefs and preserve their dignity and functionality. These residences will be strategically located within the community to maintain access and visibility.

• Such chief residencies will include housing for the chiefs and their immediate family as well as space for administrative work and meetings. To ensure proper care and protection, the properties will be maintained by the local government council and considered government assets.
• Upon the retirement, transfer or passing of a chief, the outgoing family must vacate the property which will then be prepared for the incoming chief ensuring continuity of office and clarity of occupancy.

Codification of Customary Powers and Governance Procedures

To standardize the traditional justice system and ensure it operates with legitimacy and accountability, the NBP will support the codification of customary procedures and responsibilities of the chief. This will be done through:

• Nationwide consultations with elders, historians and traditional authorities to record the best practices of customary law and its limits.
• Collaboration with the Ministry of Justice and cultural preservation departments to compile a national customary law guidebook.
• Training for chiefs and their assistants on basic principles of human rights, justice and national law.

This codified system will help chiefs administer justice fairly and in line with modern governance expectations while maintaining cultural relevance.

The district chiefs have over the decades acted as custodians of community heritage thus helping balance modern development with traditional values.