KWENU: Our Culture, Our Future

Igbo: The correct representation

The Igbo people have stated that they are not ‘Ebo,’ ‘Eboe,’ ‘Ibo,’ or any English-derived plural variant. The use of any other spelling purporting to refer to the Igbo people and their language is an unacceptable corruption of the word ‘IGBO.’ The letters ‘g’ and ‘b’ together form one consonant. It is pronounced with a bilabial-implosive sound, an unmistakable guttural sound that cannot be represented with a ‘b.’ Many African languages are replete with the consonant. We have such names as Agbani, Adegbenro, Gbagbo, Egba, Ogbalu, Ogbe, Ogbemudia, Ogbomoso, Ogbulafo, Okigbo, and Olugbenga. Hence, the use of ‘Ibo’ or ‘Ibos’ is absolutely unacceptable. 

Furthermore, ‘Igbos’ is not correct. There is no Nigerian language that forms plurals with the letter ‘s.’ It is therefore advisable to use ‘IGBO’ for the people and for the language in both singular or plural contexts. The use of ‘Igbos’ is as grammatically incorrect as the use of ‘Englishes’ would be. Those who cannot resist the urge to pluralize ‘the Igbo’ (people) should use ‘Ndiigbo.’ ‘Ndi’ (meaning ‘people of…’) is the appropriate Igbo plural tag for plural formation. 

‘Ndiigbo’ is NOT an adjective; it is a plural noun meaning ‘the Igbo people.’ Only ‘Igbo’ functions both as a noun and as an adjective. There should be no such thing as ‘Ndiigbo person’ or ‘Ndiigbo issue,’ or ‘Ndiigbo-speaking person.’ For the avoidance of doubt, especially for those who have not grasped the nuances of Igbo language, it is advisable to use ‘Igbo’ throughout, as done with other Nigerian languages. Such spelling variations as Ndigbo, Ndi Igbo, Ndi'Igbo, Nd'Igbo, NdiIgbo, and Ndi-Igbo are not standard. As recommended by the Society for the Promotion of Igbo Language and Culture, the two lexical items -- Ndi and Igbo -- are concatenated.

Immense thanks for your candid cooperation and sincere support.

Maazi M. O. Ené, Ph.D. 

Last edited: February 1, 2004