Igboid · Nigeria’s peoples
Egbema
The Egbema are one people whose kingdom was split by the state boundary: most of their towns lie in Ohaji/Egbema LGA of Imo State, around the LGA headquarters at Mmahu, and the rest in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA of Rivers State, around Mgbede, Okwuzi and Ebocha.
At a glance
- Where do the Egbema people live?
- Their homeland is in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni in Rivers State and Ohaji/Egbema in Imo State, across 2 local government areas.
- What language do the Egbema speak?
- Egbema, a language of the Igboid family (Atlantic-Congo › Volta-Congo › Benue-Congo › Igboid).
Overview
The Egbema are one people whose kingdom was split by the state boundary: most of their towns lie in Ohaji/Egbema LGA of Imo State, around the LGA headquarters at Mmahu, and the rest in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA of Rivers State, around Mgbede, Okwuzi and Ebocha. Local histories describe the kingdom as “balkanized politically but traditionally one”, and trace its origin to a migration from old Benin. They speak Egbema, which Glottolog counts within Igbo. Their land holds major oil and gas facilities.[2],[3],[4],[1],[5]High confidence
Where the Egbema live
Local government areas by state. Homeland: the group is the majority. Shared area: a large share of a mixed area. Smaller presence: present, but a small share.
Rivers
- Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni(Homeland)
Imo
- Ohaji/Egbema(Homeland)
Areas are approximate and show where people live. They are not claims of land ownership.
Communities beyond the homeland
Mmahu
Ohaji/Egbema, Imo State.[4],[6]High confidence
Etekwuru
Ohaji/Egbema, Imo State.[7],[6]High confidence
Mgbede
Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Rivers State.[2],[7],[6]High confidence
Okwuzi
Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Rivers State.[2],[7],[6]High confidence
Ebocha
Language
Egbema, a language of the Igboid family (Atlantic-Congo › Volta-Congo › Benue-Congo › Igboid).[1]High confidence
Sources
Every claim carries a confidence level: high (well attested), medium (one source or approximate) or disputed (sources disagree).
- Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin; Bank, Sebastian. Glottolog: Egbema, a dialect within Igbo (egbe1246)
- Ezihe, Evidence. History of Okwuzi (Egbema, Rivers State)
- Wikipedia contributors. Ogba–Egbema–Ndoni
- Wikipedia contributors. Ohaji/Egbema
- HistoNaija owner. (2026). Local knowledge from the HistoNaija owner: the Egbema of Rivers and of Imo are the same people
- GRID3. (2020). GRID3 NGA Settlement Names (settlement points with ward and LGA)
- Ukwe, Goodluck. (2015). Ebocha Explosions: Agonies Of Host Communities. The Tide