Urbanization and the Erosion of Igbo Cultural Values in Owerri, Imo State

Rapid urbanization transforms not only the physical landscape of Nigerian cities but also the cultural values, norms, and social practices of communities absorbed into urban growth areas. This study examines how urbanization processes have contributed to the erosion of traditional Igbo cultural values in Owerri, Imo State, South East Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was employed, with structured questionnaires administered to 360 adult residents stratified by age cohort across three urban wards. Supplementary interviews were conducted with eight culture custodians including traditional priests, masquerade society leaders, and market women's association elders. The Modernization Theory and Cultural Imperialism perspectives were applied comparatively. Results indicate that knowledge and active practice of Igbo cultural institutions was significantly higher among older age cohorts, with respondents above 55 demonstrating 3.8 times higher cultural practice scores than those under 30. Western clothing, Pentecostal Christian practices, and nuclear family living arrangements were identified as the primary cultural substitutes replacing traditional Igbo practices. Masquerade festivals, age-grade associations, and communal farming practices were reported as having declined most severely. Urban migration of rural youth was identified as a transmission disruption mechanism that breaks cultural apprenticeship between generations. Paradoxically, urban Igbo communities maintained stronger ethnic solidarity through market and diaspora associations than through traditional cultural practice. Recommendations include Imo State investment in Igbo language education at the primary school level and institutional support for cultural documentation and performance programs in Owerri. Keywords: urbanization, cultural erosion, Igbo values, Owerri, cultural change.