Chief Ezekiel Nwifuru Nwankpu, is the father of Ebonyi State Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, who attracted nation wide public attention in December 2024 after reports emerged about his large family and his installation as the traditional ruler of Oferekpe Agbaja Autonomous Community in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Reports published at the time stated that the traditional ruler had 108 children and that 19 wives remained in the family account, although 17 were reportedly living with him. The story generated discussions on social media about traditional marriage, family life, farming, community leadership and the circumstances surrounding his emergence as a monarch.
Chief Ezekiel Nwifuru Nwankpu was a farmer before becoming the traditional ruler known as Eze Nwifuru Nwankpu, Chibugo I of Oferekpe Agbaja. His son, Francis Nwifuru, became governor of Ebonyi State in May 2023.
Updated October 2026: The family has remained in the news following the death of Lolo Nwankwonshii Ezekiel Nwifuru Nwankpu, whom the Abia State Government identified in an October 2026 statement as the traditional ruler’s first wife and the governor’s stepmother.
How Many Wives and Children Does Ezekiel Nwifuru Nwankpu Have?
According to reports published by Nigerian media in December 2024, Chief Ezekiel Nwifuru Nwankpu initially married more than 30 women. The number was later reported to have reduced to 19, while 17 were said to be living with him at the time of his coronation.
Governor Francis Nwifuru reportedly explained during the coronation ceremony that his father’s difficult experiences in his community influenced his decision to marry many women and build a large family. These remarks formed part of the public account of the traditional ruler’s life and family history.
The reported figure of 108 children was also widely published. However, figures about the household should be understood in the context of the reports made at the time rather than assumed to be a current count of everyone living in the family compound.
For more details about the original report, see Premium Times’ coverage of Governor Nwifuru’s account of his father’s family.
List of the 19 Wives’ Names Circulated Online
Following the coronation, photographs said to show members of the traditional ruler’s family circulated on social media. A list of names was also shared alongside the pictures. The names as they appeared in the circulating list were:
- Mrs. Nwankwo Nwifuru
- Mrs. Nwofe Nwifuru
- Mrs. Nwodom Nwifuru
- Mrs. Okweru Nnenna Nwifuru
- Mrs. Okemini Nwifuru
- Mrs. Rose Nwifuru
- Mrs. Nwanyigwe Nwifuru
- Mrs. Mbam Nwifuru
- Mrs. Mary Nwifuru
- Mrs. Augustina Nwifuru
- Mrs. Grace Nwifuru
- Mrs. Uzoma Nwifuru
- Mrs. Nwanyigwe Nwifuru
- Mrs. Roza Nwifuru
- Mrs. Obioma Nwogbala Nwifuru
- Mrs. Obiageli Nwifuru
- Mrs. Marcelina Nwifuru
- Mrs. Nneka Nwifuru
- Mrs. Obioma Nwifuru
Editorial note: This is the list circulated with the original social media post. The names have not been independently verified, and some entries appear to be duplicates or may reflect spelling variations. It should not be treated as an officially confirmed register of the traditional ruler’s wives.
How Ezekiel Nwifuru Nwankpu Became the Traditional Ruler of Oferekpe Agbaja
Chief Ezekiel Nwifuru Nwankpu was installed as the traditional ruler of Oferekpe Agbaja Autonomous Community on December 7, 2024, according to media reports published after the ceremony.
The autonomous community was created after the Ebonyi State Government approved the establishment of additional autonomous communities. Oferekpe Agbaja was described in reports as a community comprising 17 villages in Izzi Local Government Area.
Governor Francis Nwifuru attended his father’s coronation and spoke about the hardships the family had experienced in earlier years. He described the difficulties his father faced in the community and expressed happiness at his eventual emergence as a traditional ruler.
The event also generated public debate about the relationship between political authority and traditional institutions because the new monarch was the sitting governor’s father. However, claims that the community was created solely to install his father, or that the governor acted improperly, should not be presented as established facts without documentary evidence.
For a separate discussion of Governor Nwifuru’s political career, read Iyierioba’s article on Francis Nwifuru’s plans for governing Ebonyi State.
Social Media Reactions to the Large Family
News of the reported 19 wives and 108 children generated mixed reactions online. Some commenters expressed surprise at the size of the family, while others discussed polygamy and the place of traditional family structures in Igbo society.
Some reactions praised the traditional ruler’s reported farming background and the family’s ability to raise many children. Others questioned the financial responsibilities involved in supporting such a large household, including the cost of food, housing, healthcare and education.
These reactions reflected different personal and cultural views about marriage and family life. The size of a family, however, does not by itself establish a person’s wealth or the quality of care provided to each family member.
Education and the Governor’s Family Background
Governor Francis Nwifuru’s official biography describes his upbringing in a large family in Oferekpe Agbaja, Izzi Local Government Area. It also recounts the challenges he faced while pursuing his education and his early involvement in farming and other work.
Media reports following the coronation stated that 21 of the traditional ruler’s children were graduates. The governor’s story has consequently drawn attention to the role of family support, determination and education in shaping the lives of children from large households.
Readers can consult the official Ebonyi State Government profile of Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for information about the governor’s background and career.
Latest Update: Governor’s Stepmother Dies in October 2026
A new development involving the Nwifuru family was reported in October 2026. In a statement published on October 24, the Abia State Government announced that Governor Alex Otti had attended the burial of Lolo Nwankwonshii Ezekiel Nwifuru Nwankpu, whom the statement identified as the first wife of Eze Nwifuru Nwankpu and the stepmother of Governor Francis Nwifuru.
The burial took place on October 23, 2026, at the palace of her husband in Oferekpe Agbaja, Izzi Local Government Area. The statement said the ceremony was attended by governors, senators, traditional rulers and other dignitaries who came to pay their respects to the deceased and offer condolences to the Nwifuru family.
This development is a reminder that the family story extends beyond the viral reports about the number of wives and children. It also involves family relationships, community traditions and the responsibilities associated with public and traditional leadership.
Read the Abia State Government’s official statement on the burial for further details.
Photos of Eze Ezekiel Nwifuru Nwankpu and His Family
The following photographs were included in the original Iyierioba report about the traditional ruler and his family.
Conclusion
Chief Ezekiel Nwifuru Nwankpu became a widely discussed figure in December 2024 after his installation as the traditional ruler of Oferekpe Agbaja and reports about his large family. The story attracted attention because of the reported 108 children, his farming background and the fact that his son is the governor of Ebonyi State.
As of October 2026, the family’s public story has continued to develop, including the reported burial of the traditional ruler’s first wife. For accuracy, details about the number of wives, family membership and traditional titles should be attributed to reliable sources, while claims circulating on social media should be treated with appropriate caution.
For more developments from the state, visit Iyierioba’s Ebonyi and national news section.
Note : this article was updated in October 2026. Information about family size and the names circulated online is based on earlier reports and has not been independently verified in full.