Nigeria has apologised to South African authorities following the controversial coronation of a Nigerian man as a "king" in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province.

Chief Solomon Ogbonna Eziko was installed as "Igwe Ndigbo Na East London", which literally means the Igbo traditional ruler of East London, a city in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province, on 14 March 2026.

This sparked condemnation from locals and the South African authorities, who view it as "disrespect" to South African laws and traditions of the local community.

The controversy has degenerated into violent street protests by some South Africans in parts of Eastern Cape Province since Monday, with reports of injuries and destruction of property belonging to foreigners, particularly in KuGompo City.

Calls for calm

There have been calls for calm by the authorities. The Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, which has distanced itself from the coronation, advised Nigerians to be security-conscious.

Deputy Acting High Commissioner Olajide Ogunmadeji also offered Nigeria's apology to South Africa's traditional institutions, stressing that the High Commission was in consultations with the South African authorities to resolve the matter.

"We say sorry for whatever has happened. The embassy will never, in any way, encourage undermining their authority or undermining their traditional institutions. No, we will not do that," Ogunmadeji said, according to South Africa’s state broadcaster SABC.

Members of the Nigerian community living in South Africa have also apologised, saying the installation of the Igbo leader was misunderstood.

‘Cultural ambassador’

Speaking earlier to South Africa’s media outlet, Newzroom Afrika, the leader of the Nigerian Union South Africa, which is the umbrella body of Nigerians living in South Africa, Smart Nwobi, said the title of "Igwe" conferred on the Nigerian man was not intended to be a "king" in its real sense.

Instead, the appointed leader was meant to be a "cultural ambassador" to promote cultural identity and unity, as Nigerian communities in the diaspora do in some other countries around the world.

Nwobi added that the motive was not to create a "parallel" traditional leadership or "provoke" South Africans.

He then conveyed the apology of Nigerians in South Africa "for any inconvenience this has caused", and stressed their commitment to respecting South African laws and values.

There are tens of thousands of Nigerians living in South Africa, mainly as businesspeople or students.

Royal title

"Igwe" is a recognised royal title in Igbo communities in Nigeria, referring to a king or traditional ruler, serving as the custodian of culture, traditions, and values of the Igbo people.

The term is also often used to show respect and is equivalent to "Your Highness" or "Your Majesty". However, it is not recognised in the South African system.

Like in most African countries, establishing any traditional leadership in South Africa requires recognised lineage, endorsement by existing traditional structures, and formal government approval.

Some observers say the whole controversy could have been avoided if the coronation organisers had contacted local authorities before the event.