Population Genetics of the Igbo Ethnic Group: Analysis of Mitochondrial DNA Diversity in Anambra State

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis provides a powerful tool for investigating maternal lineage, population structure, and migration histories. The Igbo people of South East Nigeria represent one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa, yet their genetic diversity and phylogeographic relationships remain incompletely characterised at the intrapopulation level. This study analysed mtDNA diversity among the Igbo in Anambra State, employing hypervariable region I (HVR-I) sequencing of 180 unrelated participants sampled across four senatorial zones. Participants were recruited through purposive community sampling, and blood samples were processed for total genomic DNA extraction. Sequence data were aligned and compared against the revised Cambridge Reference Sequence (rCRS). Phylogenetic analysis and haplotype network construction were performed using MEGA and Network software. The Igbo population exhibited substantial haplogroup diversity, with L0, L1, and L3 representing the dominant lineages, consistent with West African mtDNA profiles. Haplogroup distribution varied slightly across communities, suggesting historical substructure within the Igbo population. These findings contribute foundational genetic reference data for forensic applications, ancestry testing, and biomedical research in the South East. Keywords: mitochondrial DNA, Igbo population, haplogroup, phylogeography, Anambra State