COMMON ANALYSIS
Last update: March 2026
This profile refers to individuals refusing traditional chieftaincy titles, which are mostly related to ethnic groups.
The analysis below is based on the following EUAA COI reports: Country Focus 2025, 2.15.; Targeting 2018, 3.9.; Country Guidance should not be referred to as a source of COI.
There are different levels of ‘traditional’ chiefs and some are part of the state administrative system and are appointed by the state government. The role is well-respected and sought-after. There is strong competition for certain chieftaincy titles, and titles are rarely refused. However, some people do refuse them due to religious convictions, personal or professional obligations, or incompatibility with modern lifestyles.
Step 1: Do the reported acts amount to persecution?
In general, the treatment faced by individuals refusing chieftaincy titles would not amount to persecution. More specifically, while in some cases social pressure may arise within families or communities, particularly in hereditary cases, refusal of a chieftaincy title is generally permitted without legal or formal repercussions, and physical coercion is rare. In most communities, refusing a chieftaincy title is rather respected, and sometimes even admired.