Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has rolled out a new effort aimed at protecting Igbo heritage, with a strong focus on saving the language from decline.
The move follows warnings by UNESCO that the Igbo language faces the risk of extinction.
In response, the group on Thursday, the 19th of March, 2026, introduced four Professorial Endowment Chairs as part of a wider plan to strengthen academic engagement with Igbo studies.
The first set of scholars were drawn from Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra, and Imo states after what was described as a thorough selection process.
Three more professors, representing Abia, Delta, and Rivers, are expected to be announced soon to cover all seven Igbo-speaking states.
Speaking at the Ohanaeze Secretariat, the President-General, John Azuta Mbata, described the initiative as a timely response to protect Igbo identity in a changing world.
“This occasion is not merely a gathering; it is a celebration of our rich cultural heritage, a testament to our resilience, and a commitment to the future of the Igbo language, history, and culture,” Mbata said.
He explained that the programme, approved by the organisation’s National Executive Committee, is designed to deepen cultural preservation through structured research and institutional backing.
“As we embark on this significant initiative… we are taking a vital step toward ensuring that our cultural identity thrives amidst the challenges of urbanisation and global migration,” he added.
Mbata also pointed to the steady decline in the use of the Igbo language, echoing concerns raised by UNESCO.
“We must acknowledge the alarming reality that our Igbo language is endangered… This is a clarion call for us to take urgent action to preserve and promote our language,” he stated.
He praised the selected academics, noting that their emergence was based on merit and long-standing contributions to Igbo scholarship.
“Their commitment to advancing knowledge and understanding of our culture is commendable, and I am proud to recognise their efforts today,” he said.
Those named include Ngozi U. Emeka-Nwobia of Ebonyi State University, Boniface M. Mbah of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Frances N. Chukwu-Kere of Imo State University, and Mercy N. Nnyigide of Nnamdi Azikiwe University.
Chairman of the selection panel, Damian Opata, said the goal is to embed Igbo studies firmly within universities both in and outside Igboland.
“The major aim of this professorial endowment is to establish chairs in universities throughout the Igbo-speaking states… and even where Igbo speakers are in the minority,” Opata said.
He noted that the scope extends beyond language to cover history, culture, and indigenous knowledge systems.
“It’s not just about language and culture… Igbo history is very critical to the development of the Igbo. We also have Igbo technologies and ways of doing things,” he said.
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He added that the initiative will drive research, documentation, and academic exchanges through conferences, seminars, and workshops.
“To organise conferences, seminars, and workshops aimed at the promotion and propagation of Igbo language, literature, and worldview… and to develop strong curricula for teaching and learning Igbo language,” he said.
Opata urged wider support from the public and private sector to sustain the project.
“If we leave everything to Ohanaeze NEC, it will not be the best. We must, as a people, support this through programmes, research, and by engaging philanthropists who can sustain the initiative,” he added.
Speaking for the beneficiaries, Prof. Mbah welcomed the development, describing it as both encouraging and timely.
“We are happy with this gesture… it is a motivation for us to hit the ground running,” he said.
He assured that the team would deliver on expectations.
“We have dedicated ourselves to researching on Igbo language… and this support will aid our work. We will not disappoint,” he added.
He also commended the process that led to their selection.
“The selection process was transparent; the grant came as a surprise, but we will deliver on the mandate for which we have been set up,” he said.