Netizens have complained about the celebration of Igbo cultural festivals and ceremonies in Lagos to the detriment of the Southeast, which is Igboland.

According to them, while organisers of such events may see nothing wrong with it, their actions hamper Igboland's progress.

The netizens lamented that funds that would have boosted Igboland's economy are funnelled to Lagos Yorubaland in the name of festivities.

Their cries became louder after Igbo apex socio-political organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, hosted a book launch in Lagos to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

MyNigeria takes a look at four Igbo festivals and ceremonies held outside of Igboland.

1. Obi of Onitsha's birthday

Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, marked his 85th birthday on Friday, June 19, 2026, at The Delborough Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos State. The Obi of Onitsha is also the hotel’s board chairman.

Top dignitaries, political leaders, traditional rulers, business executives, and other prominent Nigerians attended the event to celebrate the monarch. Guests were welcomed on arrival with a colourful cultural dance performance.

Spotted at the event were Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; former Governor of Anambra State, H.E. Peter Obi; Founder of Nest Oil, Chief Ernest Azudialu; Senator Florence Ita-Giwa; Charles Oputa; Daddy Freeze; Nkiru Anumudu; Barr. Uju Ifejika; Professor Pat Utomi; and several other eminent personalities.


2. Ohanaeze Ndigbo book launch

On Tuesday, September 22, 2026, Igbo leaders held an event to present a book in Lagos, titled 'Ohanaeze at 50: The Burden of Memory, The Politics of Relevance: A Critical Biographical Reflection of an Igbo Institution', written by Agbaeze Ireke Kalu Onuma.

The event was graced by Governor Alex Otti of Abia, presidential candidate Peter Obi and other prominent Igbo dignitaries.

3. Lagos Igbo Hangout

The fiesta, held at the FHA arena in Festac, Lagos, featured beauty pageants, state-based parades, dance competitions, masquerade shows, and riveting music performances from Eastern music trailblazers, including Highstarlavista, Anyafulugo, among others.

“The #LagosIgboHangout was born out of a dire need for Igbos living in Lagos to come together under one umbrella, be unified with a common goal and have the privilege to meet their brothers and sisters, forging greater bonds, connections and helping one another in the spirit of ‘onye aghana nwanneya’ (Leave no one behind),” the organiser, Mpa Favour Ogbuji, noted.

The event drew heavy criticism from Yoruba people, who condemned the use of the phrase Lagos Igbo. According to them, there is nothing like such, because Igbos are not indigenous to Lagos, which belongs to the Yoruba people.

4. Igbo Heritage Cultural Day

It was a colourful display of cultural pride, music, and heritage as Igbos living in Lagos State gathered to celebrate the 2025 Igbo Heritage Cultural Day at the Police College, Ikeja. The event, which drew participants from different branches of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, was more than a festival of dance and tradition; it was a rallying call for unity, discipline, and cultural preservation in a time when many fear the erosion of Igbo values.

ASA