Ohanaeze Ndigbo bans Eze Ndigbo title outside Igbo land
• ‘Coronation of Eze Ndigbo in foreign lands embarrassing’ The Federal Government has frowned at the action of Nigerians installing traditional rulers – Eze Ndigbo (Igbo Kings) – in foreign
• ‘Coronation of Eze Ndigbo in foreign lands embarrassing’
The Federal Government has frowned at the action of Nigerians installing traditional rulers - Eze Ndigbo (Igbo Kings) - in foreign countries.
The government’s disapproval came as the National Executive Committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, in collaboration with the South East Council of Traditional Rulers, abolished the installation of Eze Igbo outside Igbo land.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, announced the Federal Government’s position on the matter at a meeting of Imeobi, the highest decision-making body of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, yesterday in Enugu.
Mrs. Odumegwu-Ojukwu, according to a statement by his media aide, Dr. Magnus Eze, described the situation as embarrassing to the government and the people of Nigeria.
Igbo associations in the diaspora usually stage cultural activities to promote their heritage. Unfortunately, the enthronement of traditional rulership by some Igbo groups has caused a friction between the Igbo and their host communities.
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The minister noted that people could still express themselves culturally without upsetting the host country and others.
Her reaction followed the recent violent protests against the coronation of a Nigerian Igbo leader, Solomon Ogbonna Eziko, as “Eze Ndigbo na East London” (Igbo King in East London) in South Africa’s Eastern Cape on March 14.
The incident sparked an outcry from residents, traditional leaders, and political parties, leading to violence, the torching of foreign-owned vehicles, and looting.
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Mrs. Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was deploying diplomatic channels in addressing the incident.
The Nigerian High Commission in South Africa distanced itself from the coronation, saying it was a “cultural event” misinterpreted and not a formal, recognised monarchy.
The Nigerian Embassy in Pretoria officially apologised for the confusion and crisis, urging Nigerians in South Africa to maintain a low profile and avoid further confrontations.
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The Deputy High Commissioner, Olajide Ogunmadeji, who addressed some protesters over the incident, told them that the situation had been misinterpreted.
He said the coronation was only ceremonial rather than the installation of a traditional authority that defied the existing system.
Addressing the Ohanaeze Imeobi/General Assembly, Mrs. Odumegwu-Ojukwu recalled that a similar incident had happened in Ghana in July 2025 over the Eze Ndigbo issue.
She had led a delegation to Accra to douse the tension in the West African country as Ghanaian protesters demanded that Nigerians must leave their country.
The minister urged Ohanaeze Ndigbo to prescribe sanctions against any persons flouting its directive on the abolition of Igbo traditional rulership outside Igbo land.
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She assured Nigerians that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would help to disseminate the Ohanaeze’s communique on the issue through its missions and high commissions.
The President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Senator Azuta Mbata, who presented the decision of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, said it had adopted the position of the traditional rulers abolishing Eze Ndigbo title in diaspora.
“Anybody who is being awarded that type of title anywhere outside of Igbo land is on his own. It’s unknown to the Igbo people, and we will call upon all state governors, we’ll correspond to all embassies in the world informing them about the position of Ndigbo.
“The position of Eze Ndigbo anywhere outside Igbo land is hereby alienated and proscribed. That is the position of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide.
“We will determine in consultation with the kings of Igbo land what the punishment will be for anybody who goes against this position and that punishment will be implemented at the village level. Your hometown, your town union will be under an injunction to implement that punishment, but we are going to declare that punishment after due consultation.”
