Abia State is set to host the 2026 Igbo Day celebration, with Igbo leaders, governors, scholars and other distinguished personalities expected in Umuahia for two days of dialogue, remembrance and celebration of Igbo heritage.

Themed “NJIKO KA – Unity is Supreme,” the programme is designed to promote unity among the Igbo, highlight the people’s cultural heritage and encourage intellectual and developmental advancement across Ala Igbo.

The event will be hosted by Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, while the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Azuta-Mbata, is among the prominent figures expected to attend.

Activities will begin on Monday, September 28, with an inspection tour of selected signature projects undertaken by the Abia State Government.

The tour will involve the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and other invited guests, providing them an opportunity to assess some of the development projects executed by the Otti administration across the state.

Later that day, the 2026 Dinner and Igbo Day Lecture Night will take place at the Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia from 5:00pm.

The lecture, titled “The Igbo Charter & Development of Ala Igbo,” will feature renowned economist, scholar and former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, as keynote speaker.

Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, CON, will serve as Chairman of the occasion for the dinner and lecture, which is expected to provide a platform for discussions on the future development of Ala Igbo.

The celebration will continue on Tuesday, September 29, with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Oguiyi Ironsi Cenotaph from 10:00am to honour and remember the heroes past.

Governors expected at the ceremony include Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, Dr Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Senator Hope Uzodinma of Imo State and Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State.

Governor Otti, other governors or their representatives, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and other distinguished guests are expected to participate in the ceremony.

At noon, participants will move to the Michael Okpara Square Event Centre, located by the Prof. Nnenna Oti Bus Terminal in Umuahia, for an interdenominational service.

The service will provide an opportunity for prayer, thanksgiving and reflection, while highlighting the values of unity, peace, sacrifice and collective responsibility associated with the “NJIKO KA” theme.

General Ike Nwachukwu (Rtd.), CFR, will serve as Chairman of the occasion for the main Tuesday commemoration.

With “NJIKO KA” as its central message, the 2026 Igbo Day celebration is expected to bring together political and community leaders, intellectuals and other stakeholders to reflect on the past while discussing shared aspirations for the development and prosperity of Ala Igbo.

Beyond the celebration of Igbo identity and heritage, the two-day programme is designed to provide a platform for dialogue, remembrance, intellectual engagement and renewed attention to the collective aspirations of the Igbo people.