The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has officially banned the conferment and use of the “Eze Ndigbo” (King of the Igbos) title outside of Igboland following violent protests that erupted after a coronation ceremony in South Africa last month.
Igbo associations in the diaspora occasionally hold cultural activities to promote their heritage. During such gatherings, the title ‘Eze Ndigbo’ is conferred on a man chosen by his community to serve as their leader.
Last month, the selection of an Eze Ndigbo in Kugompo, South London, a city in the Eastern Cape Province, sparked outrage, with angry South Africans torching vehicles and buildings reportedly owned by foreign nationals.
The Nigerian high commission in South Africa apologised for the controversy, stressing that the gathering was only symbolic and not political.
In July 2025, a similar coronation led to protests in Ghana, with demonstrators demanding that Nigerians leave the country.
Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, minister of state for foreign affairs, led a delegation to Accra to diplomatically resolve the tensions.
On Thursday, members of the Imeobi, the highest decision-making body of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, met in Enugu over the matter.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who attended the meeting, noted that the coronations have become a big embarrassment to Nigeria.
According to a statement issued by Magnus Eze, special assistant to the minister on communication and new media, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said citizens could express themselves culturally without causing a nuisance to indigenes of their host country and others.
At the meeting, the national executive committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, in collaboration with the south east council of traditional rulers abolished the concept of Eze Igbo outside Igboland.
Azuta Mbata, president general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, presented the decision of the Igbo socio-cultural organisation.
“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,” Mbata said.
“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 injunction to implement that punishment, but we are going to declare that punishment after due consultation.”
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the ministry of foreign affairs would communicate the decision through its missions and high commissions globally.
