Osu caste practice has come under renewed criticism as prominent Igbo traditional rulers call for its abolition, describing the system as discriminatory and incompatible with human equality.
Prominent traditional rulers in the Southeast have called for the complete abolition of the Osu caste practice in Igboland, describing the centuries-old system as discriminatory and inconsistent with the fundamental equality of human beings.
The royal fathers, including the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe; the Traditional Ruler of Nnewi, Igwe Kenneth Orizu; and the Chairman of the Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Igwe Samuel Asadu, made the call on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.
They spoke separately when the producer, directors and crew of the new Nollywood movie, “Properties of the Gods,” visited their palaces to seek royal blessings ahead of the film’s nationwide cinema release.
Produced by Nollywood actor Joseph Okechukwu, “Properties of the Gods” explores the Osu caste practice, its social consequences and the discrimination faced by people affected by the system. The movie is scheduled to open in cinemas nationwide on September 4, 2026.
Receiving the filmmakers at his palace, Igwe Achebe said ignorance had sustained several superstitious beliefs and practices despite advances in education, knowledge and civilisation.
He maintained that all human beings were created equal and that no person or community had the moral justification to regard another individual as inferior.
The Obi of Onitsha described the Osu caste system as a disgrace and called on communities where the practice still exists to abolish it permanently.
He argued that education and increased awareness had helped society overcome several traditional misconceptions and should similarly be deployed to eliminate discriminatory practices associated with the Osu system.
According to him, legislation alone may not be enough to eradicate the practice, stressing that sustained public mobilisation and a change in mindset were also necessary.
Achebe also explained that Onitsha did not operate the Osu system in the conventional sense, noting that the traditional institution had a different understanding of the term.
At the palace of the Nnewi traditional ruler, Igwe Kenneth Orizu, represented by the Crown Prince, Prince Obi Orizu, the traditional institution recalled Nnewi’s decision to abolish the Osu system.
Igwe Orizu said the decision was motivated by the belief that no group of people should be kept in bondage or denied the freedom and opportunities available to others.
He said the abolition had produced positive results and should encourage other communities to reconsider practices that discriminate against sections of their populations.
“We cannot say that our forefathers were enslaved and then turn around and enslave other people ourselves. That would be contradictory,” he said.
The Chairman of the Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, Igwe Samuel Asadu, also endorsed the movie, describing its message as timely and relevant to contemporary Igbo society.
Meanwhile, philanthropist and media personality Emmanuel Oko, popularly known as Okwuluora Ndigbo, said the Osu issue remained one of the factors affecting unity and social progress among the Igbo.
Oko commended the filmmakers for using cinema to challenge discriminatory beliefs and encourage greater inclusion.
He particularly called on communities where the practice remains prevalent to watch “Properties of the Gods” and support efforts aimed at changing attitudes toward people traditionally classified as Osu.
Earlier, producer Joseph Okechukwu said the team’s visits to the traditional rulers were primarily to seek their blessings and support ahead of the film’s release.
Okechukwu stressed that the movie was not intended to provoke conflict or attack any individual, community or institution, but to encourage a constructive conversation about unity, inclusion and the need for Igbo people to embrace one another.
He said the support expressed by the traditional rulers demonstrated the importance of involving traditional institutions in efforts to address discriminatory practices and promote social cohesion.
With “Properties of the Gods” set for nationwide cinema release on September 4, the filmmakers hope the production will stimulate broader discussion about the Osu caste system and encourage communities across the Southeast to examine and abandon practices that promote discrimination and social exclusion.
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