What is the Igbo traditional political system?

Unlike centralized kingdoms like the Hausa-Fulani or Yoruba empires, the Igbo traditionally practiced a republican system with no absolute rulers. Instead, governance was based on village assemblies, age grades, and titleholders who made collective decisions. The Nri Kingdom, however, was a sacred and semi-theocratic system that played a significant role in unifying early Igbo society.

Today, traditional rulers called Igwe, Obi, or Eze serve as custodians of culture in various Igbo communities.