About Us

Our Story

Umu Igbo Unite (UIU), was founded in 2005 in Atlanta, Georgia by the D.I. Anadu and J.C. Okpukpara families

Umu Igbo Unite (UIU), was founded in 2005 in Atlanta, Georgia by the D.I. Anadu and J.C. Okpukpara families. The motivation behind UIU’s birth was to address the lack of a structured network that catered to the specific cultural, professional, and social needs of a first-generation Igbo Americans and the greater Diaspora. Since its inception, UIU has grown to over 5,000 members nationwide with 15 active chapters: Atlanta, Austin, Bay Area, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, DMV (Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia), Houston, Los Angeles, New England, North Carolina, Phoenix, Tri-State (NY, NJ, CT), Wisconsin and Toronto, Canada.

Umu Igbo Unite (UIU) Corporation is a community-as-a-service non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. We are the premiere network of Igbo Americans and an organization that positively impacts the diaspora, Nigeria, and the continent of Africa. This is accomplished through four pillars:

Cultural Preservation
Connecting the Diaspora
Entrepreneurship
Civic Engagement

About Umu Igbo Unite

Professional networking with a cultural twist

Umu Igbo Unite is a cultural promotion group dedicated to exporting the norms, values and traditions of Igbos. We are the foremost network of Igbo Americans. UIU is inspired by the power of unity in a foreign land. As cultural exchange advocates, we witness the power of diversity and unity of Umu Igbo.

We celebrate individuality, embrace differences and enable learning opportunities by creating safe harbors in which people can come together for mutual understanding and benefit.

Umu Igbo Unite is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization that promotes cultural preservation and appreciation, professional development, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement among Igbos in the diaspora.
We applaud the resilience of our fore-bearers who came to America to discover their dreams. We welcome the courageous, the hardworking and the determined who break through barriers and establish new frontiers for generations to come.

Our Vision

To create professional, cultural and social spaces for Igbos and Nigerians in the diaspora, promoting cultural preservation, building connections and providing community support.

Professional networking with a cultural twist.

Our Mission

To unite and empower Igbos and Nigerians in the diaspora by preserving our cultural heritage and celebrating the Igbo culture. Through impactful programs, advocacy, and shared experiences, UIU strengthens connections, amplifies underrepresented voices, and builds a foundation for collective growth and belonging.

cultural preservation

Focus on the preservation of the Igbo language and culture

Umu Igbo Unite means children of Igboland unite. The Igbo people are one of the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria with approximately 32 million people, originating from the states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Delta, and Rivers State.

While we seek opportunities in a foreign land, younger generations are often lured away from their communities by educational or employment opportunities. Due to the language being an essential feature of culture and identity, the youth often lose a sense of personal history and belonging. The lack of a common language creates challenges for elders of the community to teach their history. Studies show that the Igbo language will become extinct within 50 years. We are dedicated to fostering the preservation of our culture. At UIU, we preserve our cultural heritage and keep our integrity as a people.

connecting the diaspora

Building a community of people who identify with their Igbo heritage

We bridge the gap between the continent and the diaspora, providing knowledge of Igbo culture, language and community. We are committed to bridging the gap of culture. We aim to build stories that create common experiences that shape cultural identities and link our futures. The most enterprising Igbos have been drivers of advancements in media, academia, literature and more. This is a reflection of the depth and greatness of who we are as a people.

The ability to thrive wherever we are planted, whether, in Canada, the United States, or the United Kingdom, Igbo communities have forged ahead with unimaginable resilience and excellence. We continue to promote this intrinsic truth and bridge ethnic differences within our homeland. UIU promotes cultural exchange with our host society in order to highlight common interest and identity.

community development and entrepreneurship

Promoting the advancement of Igbo people in the diaspora and Nigeria

We utilize the rich social capital of Igbos in the diaspora to build a network of individuals with a passion to see the transformation in their communities. Whether it is in the diaspora or on the continent, UIU has created a platform for Igbos to make their ideas work.

UIU actively connects this talent through business directories, strategic partnerships, and convention programming designed to open doors, spark collaboration, and move capital within the Igbo community. Economic empowerment and cultural preservation go hand in hand; a thriving Igbo business network strengthens our identity, funds our future, and expands our influence far beyond any single border. We march onwards to the future founded and shaped in the true essence of the Igbo nation while remaining internationally relevant.