Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the apex socio-cultural organisation of the Igbo people, has announced plans for the 2026 Igbo Day celebration scheduled to take place in Umuahia, Abia State, on September 28th and 29th.
The organisation made this known on Wednesday, during a press conference held at the Government House, Umuahia.
Speaking at the briefing, the Global Policy Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Dr. Ezechi Chukwu, called for greater unity, cooperation and strategic engagement among Ndigbo in Nigeria and the diaspora.
Dr. Chukwu, who spoke on behalf of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Distinguished Senator John Azuta Mbata, and the Global Executive Council, said this year’s theme, “Njiko Ka,” meaning “togetherness is best,” was chosen to emphasise the importance of unity among the Igbo people.
He explained that the celebration would provide an opportunity for Ndigbo to reflect on their history, assess their present circumstances and consider their collective future while strengthening their identity and shared sense of purpose.
According to him, activities for the celebration would commence on September 28 with a public lecture titled “Igbo Charter of Strategic Engagement for National Development,” to be delivered by renowned economist, banker and former presidential candidate, Professor Kingsley Moghalu.
Dr. Chukwu said the lecture would centre on the Igbo Charter of Strategic Engagement for National Development, a strategic document developed by a committee comprising more than 100 Igbo professionals and stakeholders from different sectors, including academia, public service, traditional institutions, the clergy, women and youth organisations.
He explained that the charter was designed to articulate the aspirations, worldview and development priorities of Ndigbo, while providing a framework for constructive engagement with the wider Nigerian society and the international community.
“It is an opportunity for us to revitalize our sense of oneness as one people and to reflect on where we are coming from, where we are and where we are going to, in a very amiable and fraternal sense of organic solidarity,” he said.
The Global Policy Secretary disclosed that the lecture, which would hold at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Government House, Umuahia, would serve as a prelude to the main Igbo Day celebration.
He said the event would feature seven panelists representing the seven core states of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, comprising the five South-East states as well as Rivers and Delta states, while participants from the diaspora would also join virtually.
Dr. Chukwu added that the President General, Senator John Azuta Mbata, would deliver the welcome address and officially declare the 2026 Igbo Day celebration open.
He further disclosed that the main celebration would take place on September 29 at the Michael Okpara Square Events Centre, near the Nnenna Oti Bus Terminal in Umuahia.
According to him, the day’s activities would begin with the laying of wreaths at the cenotaph, followed by an interdenominational church service, before the celebration moves to the Michael Okpara Auditorium for the main programme.
He said the main event would feature the President General’s State of the Union address on the theme “Njiko Ka,” the traditional Igbo Day march-past by representatives of the seven core states, goodwill messages, cultural displays and presentations by youth groups.
“Ohanaeze chapters and affiliated organisations from different parts of Nigeria, alongside diaspora chapters, would participate in the celebration,” he said.
He said prominent Igbo stakeholders from the clergy, academia, traditional institutions, women and youth groups were also expected to attend the event.
Reflecting on previous editions, Dr. Chukwu said the 2026 celebration would draw lessons from earlier themes, including “Akọ bụ Ije” (Wisdom is the path) and “Onyeaghala Nwanneya” (No one should abandon his kinsman), which were adopted for the 2024 and 2025 Igbo Day celebrations respectively.
He said the lessons from those themes would be brought to bear on the organisation’s current call for greater unity and collective action among Ndigbo.
Dr. Chukwu expressed appreciation to the Abia State Government and Governor Alex Otti for agreeing to host the 2026 celebration, saying the event would give Ndigbo an opportunity to experience the hospitality for which the state is known.
Also speaking, the Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, His Excellency Emeka Ihedioha Sibeudu, said the celebration would serve as an opportunity to remind Ndigbo of their identity, aspirations and responsibilities towards national development.
Sibeudu appreciated Governor Otti for the hospitality extended to the organisation, noting that the event would enable Ndigbo to come together, reflect on their journey and explore constructive ways of engaging government in the interest of national development.
“We await the D-Day to tell the whole world who we are as the Igbo nation,” expressing optimism that the celebration would further strengthen unity and collective purpose among Ndigbo,” he said.
In his remarks, the Abia State Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed that September 28 would also feature a facility tour of projects executed by the Abia State Government.
He said the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo would tour some of the projects across the state alongside journalists as part of activities marking the celebration.
Prince Kanu assured the organisation of the commitment of the Governor Alex Otti-led administration to hosting Ohanaeze Ndigbo during the two day event.
He also commended the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide for choosing Abia State as the host of the 2026 Igbo Day celebration.
