Seventeen traditional rulers and 440 chiefs in Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State have reportedly gone seven months without receiving their salaries.
The Oloyan of Oyan reportedly appealed directly to Governor Ademola Adeleke, saying the traditional rulers were hungry and struggling.
The complaint has sparked reactions on social media, with Nigerians questioning how monarchs and ordinary residents are coping with the economic situation.
A fresh controversy has emerged in Osun State after reports that 17 traditional rulers and 440 chiefs in Odo-Otin Local Government Area have gone seven months without receiving their salaries.
The Oloyan of Oyan, while raising the issue, appealed to Governor Ademola Adeleke to address their situation, saying the traditional rulers were hungry. His reported complaint has triggered reactions from Nigerians, many of whom expressed surprise that monarchs also depend on government-paid salaries.
Oloyan appeals to Adeleke over unpaid salaries in Osun
In a statement that has attracted attention online, the traditional ruler called on Adeleke to intervene and address the alleged delay in payment.
He expressed concern that both the kings and chiefs had been left without their expected earnings for seven months.
The monarch was quoted as saying:
“Gov Ademola Adeleke, we the kings are hungry, you’re starving we the kings and also the chiefs, pay us our salary, you’ve not paid us for 7 months.”
The complaint reportedly affects 17 traditional rulers and 440 chiefs in Odo-Otin Local Government Area.
The development has raised questions about the financial welfare of traditional institutions and the challenges facing local government administration in the state.
Why the salary complaint is attracting attention
The complaint has also drawn attention to the financial difficulties facing traditional institutions in Osun State.
In October 2025, Osun monarchs were reported to have complained about going eight months without salaries amid a dispute over local government allocations. The situation was linked to the withholding of funds meant for local councils.
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In January 2026, Adeleke also called for the release of more than ₦130 billion in local government allocations, saying the funds were needed to pay council workers, traditional councils, healthcare workers and other public servants.
The governor had blamed the prolonged funding crisis on the dispute over control of local government secretariats and the non-release of statutory allocations.
However, the latest complaint involving the 17 monarchs and 440 chiefs has renewed public interest in the matter.
Nigerians react as monarchs complain of hunger
The reported appeal has generated different reactions on social media, with some Nigerians expressing surprise that traditional rulers receive salaries from the government.
Others questioned the situation of ordinary residents if even royal fathers were struggling financially.
Here are some reactions gathered by Newsflashngr
@Blaqk101 wrote:
“So kings and chiefs are also getting paid on salary too”
@KELVIN82y wrote:
“Omo many things Dey wey I no know so na governor dey pay king omo e go far”
@Chukswilly125 wrote:
“If king dey hungry how ordinary citizens go be 🥺”
@William19Prisca wrote:
“Chai, the attack on this adeleke family this year no be small oh! I thought it was all agenda but for a whole king and chiefs to come out and complain,then that dancing governor needs to be checked!
So na only him and his family deserve good life for the whole osun? So pathetic!”
@lightup2345 wrote:
“A king most be a king in all it’s ramifications. Get things working for you so that every other thing will just be a plus. Why will 20 century king no have extreme cash flow. Hotels, schools . Trailers and Tippers for daliy use. What do I know . I am still a boy.”
@FolakemiJuliet wrote:
“Ahh na governor dey pay kings too?
Never knew those pa’s are on salary”
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