FG Condemns Eze Ndigbo Coronations Abroad, Ohanaeze Bans Title Outside Igbo Land

The Federal Government has spoken against the rising practice of installing Eze Ndigbo leaders in foreign countries, saying the development is creating problems and putting Nigeria in an awkward position internationally.

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Naija News reports that the government made its position known through a statement issued on Thursday by the Special Assistant on Communication and New Media to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Magnus Eze.

It revealed that efforts are ongoing in partnership with Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and the South East Council of Traditional Rulers to end such practices outside Igboland.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, raised the concern during a meeting of Imeobi, the top decision-making body of Ohanaeze, held in Enugu.

She explained that while Igbo groups abroad usually promote their culture through events, creating traditional leadership structures in foreign lands has led to clashes within communities and disagreements with authorities in host countries.

She noted that cultural identity can still be preserved without actions that may be seen as challenging local systems or causing unrest.

According to her, the situation has drawn negative attention to both Nigeria and the Igbo community in different parts of the world.

Her comments follow recent unrest in Eastern Cape, South Africa, where the installation of an Igbo leader as Eze Ndigbo in East London caused tension.

The development led to protests by some local groups and traditional leaders, which later escalated into violence, destruction of property, and clashes with security operatives.

Authorities in South Africa, including the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, reportedly declared the coronation unlawful, while local traditional institutions viewed it as going against their customs.

The minister said Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has begun diplomatic talks to manage the situation and prevent further issues.

She also explained that Nigeria’s mission in South Africa had already clarified that the event was only cultural and not an officially recognised traditional institution.

Following these developments, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has aligned with South East traditional rulers to scrap the recognition of Eze Ndigbo titles outside Igboland.

The President General of the group, Senator Azuta Mbata, said such titles will no longer be accepted and that governments and embassies around the world will be informed of the decision.

He added that anyone who takes up such a title outside Igboland would not be recognised by the Igbo community, and steps would be taken to enforce compliance through local structures.

The Federal Government also assured that it would assist in spreading this directive through its embassies and foreign missions to avoid further conflicts and misunderstandings in other countries.