List of Indigenous Igbo Communities in Nigerian States Outside the South East

Nigeria’s Igbo-speaking populations extend far beyond the contemporary political boundaries of the five South-Eastern states. Historical migrations, pre-colonial settlement patterns, colonial boundary-making, and post-colonial state creation all contributed to the presence of indigenous Igbo communities in several other Nigerian states.

This list documents Igbo-speaking or Igbo-origin communities that are indigenous to states outside the South East, based on linguistic, historical, and cultural continuity. It does not refer to migrant or settler populations.

Note:
Some identities listed here are contested or hybrid, shaped by long-term interaction with neighboring ethnic groups. Classification as “Igbo” is therefore based on language, origin traditions, and historical self-identification, not political labels.

1. Rivers State (Indigenous Igbo and Igboid Communities)

Rivers State contains several indigenous groups historically linked to the Igbo cultural and linguistic continuum.

  1. Egbema
  2. Etche
  3. Omuma
  4. Ndoni
  5. Ikwerre
  6. Ekpeye
  7. Obigbo (Ogba–Egbema–Ndoni axis)
  8. Opobo
  9. Ogba

Many of these groups today assert distinct ethnic identities, yet linguistically and historically belong to the Igboid language cluster.

2. Edo State

  1. Igbanke / Igbo Akiri
  • Located in Orhionmwon Local Government Area
  • Historically linked to Ika and Anioma Igbo

Notable Historical and Cultural Notes

  • Archbishop Benson Idahosa and his wife were of Igbanke origin
  • The mother of former military governor Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia was Igbanke
  • Many Igbanke people bear hybrid Edo–Igbo names due to centuries of interaction
    • Examples: Nduka Irabor, Jim Ovia, Omorogie Nwawanne

3. Delta State (Anioma / Western Igbo Region)

Delta State contains the largest concentration of Igbo-speaking communities outside the South East, collectively referred to as Anioma.

  1. Ika
  2. Ndokwa
  3. Ukwuani
  4. Aniocha
  5. Oshimili

These groups are unambiguously Igbo in language, culture, and origin, despite long-standing political marginalization.

4. Bayelsa State

  1. Ukwuani-origin Igbo communities in Sagbama LGA, including:
  • Osekwenike
  • Abuetor
  • Eke Okpokri

These villages are:

  • Of Ukwuani stock
  • Part of the Anioma Igbo cultural sphere
  • Indigenous to Bayelsa State, not migrant settlements

5. Cross River State

  1. Igbo communities in Abi LGA (Isobo area)
  • Includes Isobo (Igbo-speaking sections)
  • Former Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke is often cited in discussions of Igbo ancestry from this axis

Cross River contains several Lower Cross / Igboid transition communities, many of which were historically Igbo before later reclassification.

6. Akwa Ibom State

  1. Ikot Udo Ika
  • Located in Ika Local Government Area
  • An Igbo-speaking community surrounded by Ibibio-speaking populations

This community represents an Igbo–Ibibio boundary settlement, reflecting pre-colonial migration and intergroup contact.

7. Benue State

  1. Indigenous Igbo Communities in Benue State

Igbo presence in Benue predates Christianity and colonial rule. Many of these communities would today fall within Ebonyi State but were administratively reassigned during colonial boundary adjustments.

Major Igbo Groups and Communities

  • Ezza-speaking communities, including:
    • Umuezeokoha
    • Umuezeoka
    • Oriuzor
    • Umuoghara
    • Amaekka
    • Amaezekwe
  • Found in:
    • Ado
    • Oju
    • Obi
    • Okpokwu LGAs

Demographic Notes

  • Umuezeokoha alone reportedly contains over 300 villages
  • Total Igbo-speaking villages in Benue exceed 600
  • Major markets in Igbo-speaking Benue include:
    • Inikiri Ichari
    • Iddah
    • Iduokpe

There are also Igbo-speaking Idoma communities, reflecting centuries of cultural blending.

8. Kogi State

  1. Indigenous Igbo Communities in Kogi State

Found mainly in:

  • Ibaji LGA
  • Igalamela/Odolu LGA

Communities include:

  • Eke Avurugo
  • Nwajala
  • Umuoye
  • Ubulie-Umuez
  • Ozara
  • Other related settlements

These communities are linguistically Igbo and historically connected to the Lower Niger Igbo corridor.

This list demonstrates that Igbo indigeneity in Nigeria is not confined to the South East. Colonial borders, state creation, and political narratives often obscure deeper historical realities.

Understanding these communities requires:

  • Linguistic evidence
  • Oral traditions
  • Archaeological and historical context
  • Respect for present-day self-identification

The Igbo world has always been geographically wider, culturally fluid, and historically interconnected.

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