South-East Traditional Rulers Abolish "Eze Ndigbo" Title for Diaspora Leaders, Introduce "Onyendu Ndigbo"

The South-East Council of Traditional Rulers has officially abolished the use of the title “Eze Ndigbo” by Igbo leaders residing outside Igboland, including those in the Nigerian diaspora. In its place, the council has introduced a new title“Onyendu Ndigbo” as the only formally recognized designation for Igbo community leaders abroad.

In a communique signed by prominent monarchs including His Royal Majesty Eze E.C. Okeke (Eze Imo) and His Royal Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe (Chairman of the Council), the council emphasized that the title “Eze” is a sacred traditional institution conferred through ancestral rites and cultural coronation within a defined community or kingdom. It cannot, they asserted, be used ceremonially or outside its traditional jurisdiction.

The council explained that the use of “Eze Ndigbo” by individuals outside the South-East has led to confusion, misrepresentation, and conflicts over cultural authority. The title “Eze”, they noted, is not merely symbolic or political, but a hereditary and spiritual role deeply rooted in Igbo tradition.

While acknowledging the efforts of diaspora Igbo leaders in promoting unity and preserving culture abroad, the council stated that this new designation Onyendu Ndigbo will provide clarity and preserve the sanctity of traditional rulership structures.

Effective immediately, all Igbo leaders in the diaspora are expected to adopt the new title across official documents, signposts, letterheads, and public engagements. The council warned that non-compliance will be viewed as a serious act of defiance against Igbo traditional authority and may attract disciplinary measures.

The decision comes amid recent controversies surrounding the installation of “Eze Ndigbo” in some foreign countries. In Ghana, for instance, the coronation of Eze Chukwudi Ihenetu as “Eze Ndi Igbo Ghana” sparked backlash from youth organizations and raised questions about the legitimacy of such titles abroad, especially after images of his elaborate palace in Accra circulated online.

The South-East Traditional Rulers Council sees this reform as a necessary step toward restoring cultural order, strengthening ties between homeland authorities and the diaspora, and protecting the heritage of Ndigbo from misappropriation.

The Council concluded by urging all diaspora leaders to embrace the Onyendu Ndigbo title and join in a collective effort to uphold Igbo traditions, promote unity, and foster stronger collaboration between Igbo communities at home and abroad.