The Federal Government has criticised the coronation and activities of individuals styled as Eze Ndigbo (Igbo traditional rulers) in foreign countries, describing the practice as embarrassing.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, stated this while presenting the position of the government at a meeting of Imeobi, the highest decision-making body of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, held in Enugu on Thursday.
In a statement signed by her Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Magnus Eze, the minister said, “The situation has become a major embarrassment to the government, Ndigbo, Nigerians, and citizens of host countries where such titles are conferred.”
Recently, violent protests erupted in South Africa’s Eastern Cape following the controversial coronation of a Nigerian Igbo leader, Solomon Ogbonna Eziko, as “Eze Ndigbo na East London” (Igbo King in East London).
The development sparked outrage among local residents, traditional leaders, and political groups, leading to unrest, the burning of foreign-owned vehicles, and looting.
Addressing the Ohanaeze Imeobi/General Assembly, the minister recalled that a similar incident occurred in Ghana in July 2025 over the Eze Ndigbo issue.
She said she had led a delegation to Accra to ease tensions following protests in which some Ghanaian groups demanded that Nigerians leave the country.
