Eze Igbo in Foreign Lands

Sonny Iroche

In recent years, a troubling cultural distortion has quietly taken root within segments of the Igbo diaspora, both within Nigeria and abroad. The practice of self-styled individuals assuming or being conferred the title of “Eze Igbo” (King of the Igbo) in communities outside Igbo land has grown in frequency and visibility. What may have begun as an attempt at community leadership or cultural cohesion has, unfortunately, evolved into an aberration, one that now risks undermining both Igbo identity and inter-ethnic harmony.

As an Igbo man, I write not in condemnation of my people, but in concern for our collective reputation, our cultural integrity, and our long-term coexistence with host communities.

Let us begin with first principles. Traditional authority in Igbo land is neither arbitrary nor transferable. Titles such as “Eze” or “Igwe” are deeply rooted in indigenous customs, lineage, community consensus, and, in modern Nigeria, formal recognition by state governments through gazetting. These institutions are territorially bound. They derive legitimacy from ancestral land, history, and the consent of a defined people within a specific geographical space.

To attempt to replicate or transplant such authority into Lagos, Accra, Johannesburg, or any other non-Igbo setting is, at best, a misunderstanding of tradition, and at worst, a provocation.

Historically, Igbo society is celebrated for its republican ethos. Long before colonial contact, governance in many Igbo communities was anchored on a decentralized system, age grades, councils of elders, titled societies, ime obi, and community assemblies. Authority was diffused, participatory, and often merit-based. This is precisely why British colonial administrators struggled to impose indirect rule in Igbo land, in contrast to more centralized systems elsewhere. The oft-cited (and sometimes misunderstood) description of the Igbo as a  “chiefless” society speaks not to a lack of order, but to a sophisticated form of distributed democratic governance.

It is therefore ironic that some among us now seek to project a monarchical structure beyond its legitimate cultural context.

More concerning, however, are the consequences of this practice. In cities like Lagos, tensions have occasionally arisen where such self-proclaimed titles are perceived as encroachments on established traditional institutions. Beyond Nigeria’s borders, reports from Ghana, and South Africa suggest that similar actions have contributed, rightly or wrongly, to suspicion, resentment, and, in extreme cases, hostility toward Nigerians.

In a global environment where migration, identity, and belonging are already sensitive issues, the last thing any diaspora community needs is the perception of cultural overreach or parallel authority structures.

This must be stated clearly: wherever we reside, whether in Lagos, Accra, London, or Johannesburg, we are guests of our host communities. Respect for local customs, institutions, and traditional authorities is not optional; it is fundamental to peaceful coexistence.

The Igbo are renowned worldwide not for titles, but for enterprise, (the Igbo Entrepreneurship System) and achievements in academia, AI and technology, management, science, military, engineering, literature and sports, amongst other things.

From the bustling markets of Aba and Onitsha to the financial hubs of Alaba and computer village, in Lagos and Johannesburg; from technology startups in Silicon Valley to academic institutions across Europe and North America, the Igbo have built a global reputation anchored on resilience, innovation, and hard work. Across generations, we have thrived not by seeking symbolic crowns, and red caps in foreign lands, but by creating value, building businesses, and contributing meaningfully to the societies we inhabit.

Names of accomplished Igbo individuals, past and present, resonate across industries: commerce, medicine, law, engineering, academia, and now, increasingly, technology and artificial intelligence. These are the true ambassadors of Igbo identity. Their achievements speak louder than any title ever could.

It would be a grave disservice to this rich legacy if a few individuals, driven perhaps by ego or a desire for recognition, redefine the Igbo narrative around contested and culturally misplaced titles.

Community leadership in the diaspora is both necessary and commendable. Igbo unions, town associations, professional networks, and cultural organizations play vital roles in supporting members, preserving heritage, and fostering unity. These platforms should be strengthened, not distorted.

Leadership, however, must be functional, not ornamental. It must be rooted in service, not symbolism.

What then is the way forward?

First, there must be a clear and collective disavowal of this practice by respected Igbo leaders, traditional rulers within Igbo land, socio-cultural organizations, and diaspora associations. Silence, in this instance, can be misinterpreted as endorsement.

Second, diaspora Igbo organizations should adopt and enforce codes of conduct that explicitly prohibit the use or conferment of traditional titles such as “Eze Igbo” outside their legitimate jurisdictions. Leadership roles within these associations should reflect their true purpose, chairman, president, coordinator, not monarch.

Third, there must be internal accountability. Those who persist in this practice should face social and organizational sanctions, ranging from exclusion from community platforms to formal disassociation. Cultural integrity must be protected with the same seriousness with which it is inherited.

Fourth, engagement with host communities should be deepened. Mutual respect, collaboration, and cultural exchange, not competition, should define our presence wherever we reside.

This is not merely about titles; it is about identity. The Igbo identity is too rich, too accomplished, and too globally respected to be reduced to symbolic assertions of authority in places where such authority neither exists nor is recognized. We are a people of enterprise, intellect, and resilience. Our strength lies not in crowns, but in character.

Let us, therefore, be guided by wisdom.

Let us preserve the sanctity of our traditions by practicing them where they belong.

Let us honor our host communities, anywhere we reside, whether in Lagos, Kano, Accra, Johannesburg or wherever, by respecting their traditions and institutions.

And let us ensure that the Igbo name, wherever it is spoken, continues to evoke excellence, not controversy.

In the end, history will not remember us for the titles we assumed, but for the value we created and the dignity with which we conducted ourselves.

IGBO KWENU

•Mr Iroche, an Oxford trained AI postgraduate, is the leader of Abia League of Professionals Initiative.