🇳🇬 Ethnic group

Igede

Evidence: Multiple sources

The Igede are one of the three major peoples of Benue State, with their homeland centred on Oju LGA. They speak Igede, an Idomoid language also spoken in Cross River State.

Overview

The Benue State Government counts the Igede among the state's three major peoples, with the Tiv and Idoma. Wikipedia describes them as native to Oju and Obi LGAs. Blench's Atlas also lists Igede speakers in Ogoja LGA of Cross River State.

Traditional Governance

The Benue State Government names the Ochi'Igede as the paramount ruler of the Igede.

Connections
Other names
  • Egede · spelling variant
    Also Igedde, Egedde (Blench's Atlas).
Sources
  1. About Benue State — Benue State Government · link (accessed 24 Sep 2026)
    Supports: Igede one of the three major ethnic groups; Ochi'Igede their paramount ruler
  2. History Of Benue State — Benue State Ministry of Finance, Budget & Economic Planning, Benue State Ministry of Finance, Budget & Economic Planning · link (accessed 27 Jul 2026)
    Supports: Igede listed; Idoma–Igede area of nine LGAs
  3. Igede people — Wikipedia · link (accessed 24 Sep 2026)
    Supports: Igede native to Oju and Obi LGAs
  4. An Atlas of Nigerian Languages (2020 edition) — Roger Blench, Kay Williamson Educational Foundation / McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, University of Cambridge, 2020 · link (accessed 24 Sep 2026)
    Supports: Igede language in Oju LGA and in Cross River State

Last updated 24 September 2026. Spotted an error or have a source to add? Tell us.

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