Ohanaeze Reaffirms Ban on ‘Eze Ndigbo’ Title Outside Igbo Land

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has reaffirmed its prohibition on the use of the Eze Ndigbo title by Igbo leaders residing outside the South-East, declaring that “Onyendu Ndigbo” will henceforth be the official title for recognized Igbo diaspora leaders.

The decision was reiterated during the induction of diaspora leaders and the inauguration of 32 Onyendu Ndigbo representatives from Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, Ghana, and other locations at a ceremony held in Owerri, Imo State.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Committee on the Regularisation of Igbo Diaspora Traditional Titles and Leadership, Charles Odunukwe, said the move was aimed at resolving years of controversy surrounding the use of the Eze Ndigbo title outside the Igbo homeland.

According to him, the organization has officially proscribed the use of the Eze Ndigbo title by diaspora leaders, emphasizing that only the newly approved designation should be used going forward.

“The leader of the Igbos outside homeland territories would be known and called Onyendu or any other title approved in consultation with the Council of Ndieze and Ime-Obi,” Odunukwe stated.

He added that the reform is intended to create a unified and structured leadership system for Igbo communities living outside their ancestral homeland while preserving the sanctity of traditional institutions within Igboland.

The Chairman of the South-East Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Emmanuel Okeke, formally inducted the newly recognized Onyendu Ndigbo title holders and charged them to uphold integrity, discipline, and exemplary leadership in their respective communities.

He warned that the title should not be viewed merely as a ceremonial honour but as a responsibility that demands accountability and service to the Igbo people.

Okeke further cautioned that any leader found engaging in misconduct, corruption, or actions capable of bringing the institution into disrepute would face disciplinary measures, including the withdrawal of both the title and certificate of recognition.

Also speaking, the committee’s Secretary, Ubochi Ubochi, described the exercise as a major milestone in the effort to strengthen and standardize Igbo diaspora leadership across Nigeria and the international community.

He noted that the inauguration of the Onyendu Ndigbo representatives marks the beginning of a new era of legitimacy, unity, cultural identity, and responsible leadership among Igbo communities living outside the South-East.

According to him, the initiative will help foster closer collaboration between Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and diaspora communities while promoting the values, traditions, and cultural heritage of the Igbo people globally.

The reaffirmation of the policy is expected to end years of disputes over the use of traditional titles by Igbo leaders in the diaspora and establish a uniform leadership structure recognized by Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.