Onitsha and other western Igbo communities trace migration from Benin

From the 15th century the expansion of the Benin and Igala kingdoms reshaped western Igbo society. The Onitsha, who claim to have left Benin in the 17th century, were probably Igbo populations thrown back eastwards by Benin expansion; Benin court ceremonial, titles and centralised-leadership ideas were widely adopted (or imposed) among the western Igbo and riverine towns such as Onitsha, Aboh and Oguta.