Traditional rulers across Nigeria’s South West have publicly decried the non-payment of their monthly salaries, describing a situation that has left many struggling to meet basic needs. The complaints, reported by Punch, highlight a systemic financial crisis affecting community leaders from Osun and Oyo states to Ogun and Kwara. Village heads, known as baales, stated they receive between N10,000 and N15,000 monthly, an amount they argue is insufficient for survival. Oba Kelani Adekeye of Oyan in Osun State lamented that chiefs have not been paid for seven months, stating in a viral video that "kings and chiefs are starving." He emphasized the severity of the crisis by noting, "We have no money." Another anonymous monarch in Osun confirmed that senior kings are also soliciting financial assistance from peers due to the lack of state support.
In Ede North Local Government Area of Osun State, a village head reported that he has not received any salary since assuming his position more than three years ago. He stated that approximately 31 other village heads in the area face the same situation, with none receiving payments or other entitlements. The chief explained that he survives only on his previous livelihood, as the government provides no support. Meanwhile, in Oyo State, a monarch described the distribution of funds as highly unequal, where first-class kings retain the majority of the five percent allocation meant for traditional rulers. This monarch asked, "What are they going to do with such a terrible amount?" referring to the small sums passed down to lower-ranking chiefs. He noted that by the time money reaches village heads, it has been reduced to "crumbs" that cannot sustain them.
In Ogun State, baales accused the government of exploiting them for election mobilization while abandoning them afterward. A village head from Ewekoro Local Government Area said that out of 700 baales, only about 20 receive a monthly stipend of N10,000, and even this is irregular. He added that leaders are sometimes asked to pay for digital certificates, further straining their finances. Another baale from Ogun Waterside stated that none of the over 70 village heads in his area receive stipends, forcing them to spend their own money on meetings. A chief from Remo North corroborated these claims, noting that payments stopped in March and that the previous N15,000 stipend was insufficient for basic expenses like recharge cards.