FG, Ohanaeze Ban Coronation of Eze Ndigbo Abroad

FG, Ohanaeze Ban Coronation of Eze Ndigbo Abroad

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Federal Government and the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, have moved to halt the coronation of Eze Ndigbo (Igbo kings) in foreign countries, describing the practice as unacceptable and a source of diplomatic concern.

The position was made known on Thursday at the Imeobi meeting of Ohanaeze in Enugu, where the organisation’s National Executive Committee, in collaboration with the South East Council of Traditional Rulers, formally abolished the concept of Igbo traditional rulership outside Igboland.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who conveyed the Federal Government’s stance, said the trend had become an embarrassment not only to the government but also to Nigerians and host countries.

She noted that while cultural associations in the diaspora are encouraged to promote heritage, the assumption of traditional titles in foreign lands has repeatedly generated tension within host communities.

According to her, “the situation has become a big embarrassment to government, Ndigbo, Nigerians and even foreigners in those countries,” adding that cultural expression must not conflict with the laws and traditions of host nations.

Recent developments in East London, South Africa, were cited as a major trigger for the renewed stance. The controversial coronation of Solomon Ogbonna Eziko as “Eze Ndigbo na East London” sparked protests that escalated into violence, including the destruction of vehicles and attacks on foreign-owned businesses.

Authorities in South Africa, including the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, declared the installation illegal, while local traditional leaders described it as a violation of established customs.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had since engaged diplomatic channels to manage the fallout, noting that Nigeria’s mission in Pretoria distanced itself from the event and clarified that it was merely a cultural ceremony, not a recognised traditional authority.

She added that similar tensions were recorded in Accra, Ghana, in 2025, when protests led to calls for Nigerians to leave the country.

“Aggrieved Ghanaians issued our people with a quit notice; they insisted that Nigerians must go,” she said, recalling that diplomatic intervention helped to calm the situation.

She disclosed that the Nigerian delegation met with President John Mahama and other key stakeholders, leading to a de-escalation after assurances against xenophobia.

The minister stressed that such incidents highlight the risks posed by the proliferation of traditional titles abroad, urging stricter adherence to cultural boundaries and international norms.

She also called on Ohanaeze to enforce sanctions against individuals who disregard the directive, assuring that Nigeria’s foreign missions would help circulate the decision globally.

President-General of Ohanaeze, Azuta Mbata, said the organisation had adopted the position of traditional rulers, declaring the title of Eze Ndigbo outside Igboland null and void.

“Anybody who is being awarded that type of title anywhere outside Igboland is on his own. It is unknown to the Igbo people,” he said.

He added that the group would formally notify embassies and state governments of its position, while sanctions for violators would be determined in consultation with traditional authorities and enforced at the community level.

The Federal Government reiterated its commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad, warning that actions capable of straining relations with host countries must be avoided.