The Ogun State Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, has set a clear performance tone for the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, emphasizing leadership capacity and collaboration as key drivers of effective governance and institutional stability.

Speaking at the opening of a three-day management retreat in Ikenne-Remo, Onasanya commended senior officials and Deputy Directors for their contributions but stressed that the next phase requires a more coordinated and purpose-driven approach to public service delivery.

The retreat, themed “Leading with Purpose: Enhancing Local Governance and Traditional Institutions Administration,” is positioned as a strategic intervention to recalibrate the ministry’s operational framework and strengthen its impact at the grassroots level.

Onasanya described the participants as the engine room of the ministry, noting that their ability to provide direction and leadership would directly influence performance outcomes across local governments and traditional institutions. He urged them to leverage the retreat to build capacity, improve teamwork, and reposition the civil service for greater efficiency and public trust.

In his address, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat, framed the retreat as a timely opportunity to move beyond routine administration and focus on high-impact responsibilities. He highlighted the need for proactive management of chieftaincy matters, including succession processes, dispute resolution, and preservation of cultural heritage in line with established laws.

Delivering a keynote lecture, former Head of Service, Mr. Kolawole Fagbohun, raised concerns over rising chieftaincy disputes, warning that unresolved conflicts pose a direct threat to peace, development, and grassroots governance. He identified succession disagreements, politicisation of traditional institutions, and the growing economic value attached to traditional stools as key drivers of tension.

Fagbohun advocated stronger legal frameworks, better documentation of customary laws, and a deliberate effort to depoliticise traditional leadership structures. According to him, restoring transparency and stakeholder trust is essential for long-term stability within traditional councils.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Rotimiolu Akinlesi, noted that the retreat aligns with the state government’s broader objective of strengthening governance systems. He reiterated the need for sustained collaboration among stakeholders to maintain peace and harmony within traditional institutions.

The retreat underscores a broader shift toward proactive governance, with state authorities signaling increased focus on conflict prevention, institutional discipline, and service delivery optimization at the local level.