The Federal Government (FG) has criticised the coronation of individuals as Eze Ndigbo in foreign countries.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated this at a meeting of Imeobi of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide in Enugu.
In a statement signed by her aide Magnus Eze the minister said the development has become an issue for the government, Nigerians and host countries.
“The situation has become a major embarrassment to the government, Ndigbo, Nigerians, and citizens of host countries where such titles are conferred,” she said.
Her comments followed protests in South Africa after the coronation of Solomon Ogbonna Eziko as Eze Ndigbo in East London. The protests led to attacks on property linked to foreign nationals.
Minister Odumegwu-Ojukwu also recalled a similar development in Ghana in July 2025, which led to protests and calls for Nigerians to leave the country.
She said she led a delegation to Accra to address the situation, where they met with John Mahama and other officials.
According to her, the Ghanaian president said there was no place for xenophobia and helped calm tensions.
The minister said Nigeria used diplomatic channels to address the situation in South Africa and stressed that cultural practices should not lead to conflict in host countries.
She urged Ohanaeze Ndigbo to apply sanctions on individuals who accept such titles outside Igboland.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu added that the ministry would share the group’s position through Nigerian missions abroad.
President-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Azuta Mbata said the group has banned the title outside Igboland.
“Anybody who is awarded such a title anywhere outside Igboland does so on his own. It is not recognised by the Igbo people,” he said.
He added that the group would inform state governments and embassies of its position and decide on measures for those who go against it.
