Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has officially prohibited the conferment and usage of the “Eze Ndigbo” title outside the South-East region, citing growing tensions and conflicts linked to the practice in diaspora communities.
The decision was announced in Enugu during the group’s Imeobi/General Assembly meeting by its President-General, Chief John Azuta-Mbata.
Azuta-Mbata explained that the move followed extensive consultations involving the organisation’s National Executive Committee and the South East Council of Traditional Rulers.
He stated that the directive is final and that any individual who assumes or is given the title outside Igboland will not be recognised by the Igbo nation.
According to him, traditional authorities are currently working out appropriate penalties for those who violate the ban.
He added that enforcement would be carried out through established community systems, including town unions and grassroots leadership structures.
The Ohanaeze leader emphasized that the organisation would formally notify state governments and Nigerian diplomatic missions worldwide about the decision.
The ban comes amid rising concerns over disputes linked to the installation of “Eze Ndigbo” in foreign countries.
Also addressing the issue, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, called for strict enforcement measures to prevent further crises.
She highlighted incidents in countries such as Ghana and South Africa where disputes over such titles have reportedly caused tension and, in some cases, threatened the safety of Nigerians abroad.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu warned that self-proclaimed traditional titles in foreign lands could damage Nigeria’s reputation and strain relationships with host communities.
She described the trend as a serious cultural issue that undermines unity and peaceful coexistence.
The minister commended Ohanaeze Ndigbo for taking decisive steps, noting that the ban would help preserve cultural integrity and promote harmony in diaspora communities.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the South East Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH Emmanuel Okeke, expressed concern that the actions of some individuals had negatively portrayed the Igbo people abroad.
He urged Igbos living outside Nigeria to respect local laws and traditions, warning against using wealth to create divisions under the guise of traditional authority.
Okeke reaffirmed the council’s support for measures aimed at restoring order and protecting the image of the Igbo community globally.
In a related development, Ohanaeze reiterated its stance on the continued detention of IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, describing it as a matter of deep concern to the Igbo people.
