ABSTRACT
In African context, a palace is not only an official residence of a ruler, but also serves among other things, as the administrative and social ceremonial quarters of most societies. Some palaces even fulfilled further requirements of being residences of sacred kings of divine descents, the focal point of religious ritual, the object of mystical awe. Palaces are as varied as the societies they are found in. The way a palace is designed depends entirely on the tradition and building cultures of their societies. In most societies they are larger and more elaborate versions of the commoner houses found in their area. The institution of the emir, paramount chief or natural leader still has great significance in the African society. The people and indeed the government look up to them for fatherly advice and peaceful resolution of conflicts and crises.