ABSTRACT

For many years, philosophers have grappled with developing ethical theories that offer clear and coherent accounts of ethical responsibilities and obligations. However, the field of African ethics, along with other areas of African studies, has received inadequate attention, resulting in a dearth of comprehensive analysis and clarification of its philosophical foundations. This study seeks to address this gap by investigating a distinctive African ethic, Igwebuike, which emphasizes the unity of diverse ethical expressions in Africa. While ethics has been extensively studied, African ethics remains underexplored, making this study particularly significant in contributing to a more nuanced understanding of African ethics, particularly the unique ethical framework of Igwebuike. Utilizing the Igwebuike theoretical framework, this study adopts hermeneutic, thematic, and analytic methods of inquiry to explore its philosophical significance thoroughly. Ultimately, the research findings enrich the literature on African ethics and contribute valuable insights into its distinctive character, advancing the discourse on African ethics. The study submits that African societies possess a distinct ethical framework founded on relational and complementary principles.