Millions of Igbos have left their Homeland and Nigeria in pursuit of better education and economic opportunities abroad, most with the desire to eventually return Home.

Yet, the majority of them still remain exiled in host regions and countries like the  U.S. , U.k and Canada, Germany, Ireland, Sweden, Finland and the dispersion and population of Igbos around the globe is growing at a faster rate.

While residing abroad has offered Igbos a wealth of opportunities not provided and possible in Nigeria, especially in Eastern Nigeria, this has sometimes come at the expense of their foreign-born children’s complete ethnic and cultural development.

Igbos born and raised outside of the Homeland and Nigeria are living in societies and environments that are not a true reflection of their culture, traditions, history, origin, and lineage, and therefore not their true identity. Some families are even finding that the most undesirable aspects of American culture have influenced their children. Their youths have adopted questionable habits, mannerisms, attitudes, and styles, often as a “fitting in” mechanism for the public school or neighborhood environments in which they find themselves. Beyond this, they are bombarded everyday with media that delivers messages that they should be like this, think like that, or act a certain way. Whatever the influences may be – good or bad – some Igbo children are acquiring new socio-cultural identities, rather than embracing their God-given one.

While it can be difficult to counter these types of overbearing influences in the host country, many Igbo parents and communities in the Diaspora are also to blame for squandering opportunities to culturally engage their children during their formative years. A number of factors contribute to this situation, including: lack of communication and sharing between parents and children; activities that do not encourage youth participation; demanding work and school schedules; or simply denial, dismissal or ignorance of the problem.

For example, given a culture that places a strong emphasis on the language for communication and acceptance, it is astonishing that most of the children living abroad cannot speak Igbo. This is an utter failing solely on the part of Igbo parents, especially when one considers the fact that numerous immigrant groups have been successful in teaching their children their respective languages without comprising their ability to speak perfect English. Clearly, many Igbo parents have been unable or unwilling to help their foreign-born children develop an Igbo identity, beyond their names. While some youths have developed a strong interest and awareness in Igbo culture as they have grown older, they may not be equipped with enough knowledge and foundation to pass on the culture and traditions to their own children – the next, next generation.

When the family and cultural legacy are not bequeathed to the future generations of Igbos living outside of the Homeland, is this a failure in the duty to the forefathers, tradition, and society? As one Igbo writer described the bleak picture: “One hundred years from now, their lineage at home would be forgotten entirely. Their epitaph would read like those sold into slavery 400 years ago. The big houses some are currently building in cities and villages across Nigeria would be taken over by relatives left at home." (Rudolph Okonkwo, “Saving Our Children,” www.nigeriaworld.com) In addition to this author’s remarks, this picture becomes even bleaker for the future of the entire Igbo nation when one considers that there are over 2 million Igbos and growing, many of whom are foreign-born, living outside of the Homeland and Nigeria. Amidst these serious realities for Igbo families living abroad, it is important not to compromise the children’s cultural development while in pursuit of the ‘American Dollar.’

As for the solution, one can appreciate that it takes a village to raise a child. While the parents cannot control the outside environments, they can control what happens inside their homes. A few very proactive and resourceful Igbo families have tried to overcome this first-generation challenge by implementing “America stops at the front door” policies, meaning English and American culture outside and Igbo-only culture inside the home. Some Igbo communities are also providing rich cultural experiences and environments for their children through Igbo Day events and festivities such as this. But the effectiveness of such programs depends on strong participation, support, and contribution from all members of the Igbo community – men, women, and children.

In the absence of the village and the full experience of the Homeland, Igbo communities abroad can also implement other more long-term collaborative initiatives to create environments that cater to their needs, such as community centers, ethnic-based schools, summer camps, and after-school programs. In addition to these critical community-based approaches, another more targeted solution is to have the children spend a significant amount of time schooling or physically present in Igboland. A growing number of Igbo families in the United States are now sending their children back to Nigeria to attend school. And, many high-quality primary and secondary schools exist in Eastern Nigeria attracting Igbo families and their children from abroad. This is perhaps the best solution to ensure that foreign-born Igbo children have an opportunity to be closer to their culture and tradition, and develop a solid and lifelong connection with their identity and Homeland. Frankly, given the earlier statements, this should take financial priority over building a house in Nigeria.

In closing, Jewish communities are to be admired for showing unwavering connection to their identity and Homeland despite thousands of years in exile and the heinous impact of the Holocaust. They are also one of the pioneers of ethnic-based schooling, providing conventional education in the context of their culture and tradition through numerous Jewish schools around the world. And, every year, thousands of Jewish children living outside of Israel have an opportunity to visit and school in their homeland through donor-sponsored trip programs. Equally, the successes of the more recent Indian Diaspora communities can serve as a model for the Igbo community. Wherever these two groups reside – from South Africa to Southern California – their strong cultural orientation, retention, solidarity, and awareness outside of their respective homelands have benefited their children and communities socially and culturally, as well as economically, for many generations. As demonstrated by these groups, investments in Igbo children would have enormous long-term social and economic returns for the global Igbo community and the Homeland – most important of them being ethnic and cultural consciousness, preservation, and cohesion.

Igbos born and living outside of the Homeland – many of whom are becoming highly successful in academics, professional careers, and sports – are the future. It is really disheartening to hear parents and home-grown Igbos say: “These kids, they don’t know anything. They’re lost.” Well, if you want the children to know something or stay connected, then you need to teach and train them. Since America is not Nigeria, they will not be exposed to Igbos or the culture at school, on the playground, at the shopping mall, in basketball camp, or the other places of activity. Therefore, the children require and deserve the additional attention and commitment from the parents and community needed to nurture and cultivate a strong sense of identity and belonging in this kind of environment, as well as continued interest and active participation in Igbo society beyond their parent’s lifetime. They should not be disconnected with their culture because of geographical separation from the Homeland.

Some progress has been made, in recognition of this problem, but each family can do more. The U.S. government’s “No Child Left Behind” policy tagline should resonate as a cultural clarion call for all Igbo communities outside of the Homeland and Nigeria.