Constituted authority refers to the system of laws guiding societal actions and rules, aiming for smooth social functioning. It encompasses four main types: organizational, traditional, religious, and government authorities, each with distinct responsibilities such as maintaining order, providing social amenities, and safeguarding citizens. Its importance lies in protecting citizens, promoting societal development, maintaining peace, and ensuring adherence to laws.

1. Constituted Authority

2. What is Constituted Authority?
Constituted authority can be described as the stated list of laws created
to guide all the actions and rules in a society. This authority targets the
smooth running of the society in the framework of laws and discipline. All
members of the society acknowledge the idea of constituted authority and
understand the responsibility for their actions!

3. Types of Constituted Authority
There are four basic types of constituted authority:
1. Organizational Constituted Authority;
2. Traditional Constituted Authority;
3. Religious Constituted Authority;
4. Government Constituted Authority. Read more:

4. Organizational constituted authority
The most prominent examples of these authorities are social gatherings, business leaders, leaders of
political parties, clubs, organizations.
Functions include;
- These leaders represent the interest of their members;
- They provide decision and policies for their members
- They serve as the protectors of members interests;
- They cater for the interest of their members.

5. Traditional constituted authority
All traditionally constituted authorities are based on customs and traditions of
the people. Therefore, the leaders of the society are in charge of maintaining
these traditional rules. The of traditional constituted authority in Nigeria can
be Alaafin of Oyo, Oba of Benin, Emir of Kano
Functions include;
- Their main responsibility is to maintain order inside the traditional
societies and help their local communities.
- They are responsible for traditions inside their communities;
- They serve as chief priests for every traditional ceremony;
- They help the government to educate their people and provide the
cooperation between traditional societies and the government.

6. Religious Constituted Authority
It's simply religious leaders. They are spiritual leaders of societies, communities or just group
of people. They can be appointed or elected according to the ideas of their religion. The
most obvious examples are Ifa Priests, Pastors, Imams.
Functions Include;
- They provide the spiritual support of their members
- They serve as interlink between God and people;
- They help in educating people on many aspects of the government;
- They provide the assistance in maintaining peace between the members of the society.

7. Government Constituted Authority
These authorities are elected or appointed according to the constitution to perform
constitutional duties over the country, state or local government. Therefore, the
governmental constituted authorities are the ministers, governors, presidents, etc
Their functions include
- Their main task is to provide help against any internal and external threats;
- They make laws; They execute laws;
-They protect the rights of all individuals in the society;
-They provide social needs to the society, like water, gas, electricity

8. I
Importance of Constituted Authority
1. Protection of citizens: the government ensures that all citizens are protected from both internal
and external danger.they ensure that all citizens are free from terrorism.
2. Development of the society:constituted authority joins hands together to bring about development in
the society through maintenance of law and order.
3. Religious authority helps followers to be closer to God and help followers to fear God.
4. Constituted authority are responsible for smooth running of the society.
5. They ensure that people live in peace with one another.
6. They ensure orderliness in the state and help to settle dispute in the society.
7. They also help to make policies and decisions to achieve the set goals.

9. Responsibilities of constituted authority
1. Maintenance of Law and Order: One of the main duties of a constituted authority like the government is to
ensure that citizens obey the laws of the land. The government uses the security agencies like the POlice; Civil
Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety, EFCC and others to make sure-that citizens are law-abiding at all time. If
citizens' fail to obey the rules and laws, there could be disorder and unrest in society.
2.Provision of Social Amenities: Government has it as a duty to provide social amenities for the enjoyment of the
people. These amenities include electricity, pipe borne water, good roads, education, hospitals etc. Government Uses
the tax money to provide all these amenities.
3.Safe Guarding Lives and Property: One of the constitutional responsibilities of a constituted authority like the
government is the protection of lives and properties of the citizens. The government has the responsibility to
make the , nation safe and secured for people to live in. The government preforms this function through the
service of security agencies like Army, Navy; Civil Defence Corp, Police etc.

10. Thank you for reading this.