According to oral tradition, the first settlers in Nsugbe were the descendants of Omini, son of Enugwu Aguleri Eri, who migrated from Enugwu Aguleri after the death of their father and settled at Okpuno Enugwu Nsugbe, an area on the outskirts of modern-day Nsugbe. However, the leader of the group, was called back to Aguleri upon the death of his father Enini (Omini). Some of his descendants, along with his brother Nta, remained in Nsugbe and were later joined by other immigrants from Ivite Agulu-eri, establishing present-day Enugwu Nsugbe, Offianta Nsugbe, and Abah Nsugbe. The founders of Nnadi village, according to tradition, were originally a separate town from Nsugbe. However, due to the ada war, nearly 90% of them fled to surrounding towns like Nteje, Awkuzu, and others. This war affected the entire Igboland, leaving many places desolate. The Nnadi people sought refuge among the Offianta community until 1903 when they returned to their original home in Nnadi Nsugbe. Another group of settlers came from the Awka-Achalla-Nri axis, and they are associated with Amagu village in Nsugbe. Additionally, there was a significant influx of immigrants from the Igbo-speaking parts of Delta State, who had previously lived alongside the
Edo people. They eventually crossed the Niger-Anambra floodplains and settled on the eastern bank of the Niger River. Some of these settlers established villages like Agbalagbo, Akpalagu, and Ogwuari. Some immigrants from the mid-west region were linked to Eze-Chima, who fled Benin in the 15th century. The founders of Ogwuari village, for example, came from Ogwuashi-Ukwu in Delta State, not far from Benin. After crossing the Niger River, they settled between the Niger and Anambra rivers, coexisting with their Anam neighbors for many years. They owned farmlands and fishing ponds like Ojeli, Akpatayama, Aribo, and Onono. Eventually, they crossed the Niger and Anambra Rivers, establishing their settlement between Ugbo Eke and Akpaka (present-day Onitsha Forest reserve), while entrusting their lands and fishing ponds to the Anam people as caretakers through an oath. The amalgamation of these immigrant groups in Nsugbe, drawn by the fertile land and attracted by the town's reputation as warriors and hunters, led to the foundation of present-day Nsugbe over 500 years ago. Historically, Nsugbe can be divided into two periods: the predynastic period and the dynastic period. During the predynastic period, Nsugbe was a confederation of villages governed by three distinct groups: the Okala Okwule, the Umuotu, and the Otuogene. The Okala Okwule comprised a body of village elders, while the Umuotu consisted of energetic and able-bodied men from the town. The Otuogene was a group of elderly women. The dynastic period marked the introduction of kingship or the monarchical institution in Nsugbe, which was brought by the Ogwuari people. The kings were referred to as Obi. The lineage of Obis included Obi Ezepue, Obi Ezenwigbo, Obi Nwaobi, Obi Eke, Obi Uzoka, Obi Itava, Obi Somukwu, and Obi Ovili (Ofili), who was overthrown in 1875. Obi Ovili was the last reigning Obi, following a line of succession exclusive to the Umu-Obi family of Ogwuari. His last child, Princess Nno, was born in 1875 and died in 1975. After the overthrow of Obi Ofili, Nsugbe experienced a period of leadership crises. A group called Ndi-Eze emerged, representing a class of multiple kings and challenging the multi-eze society. This situation persisted until the British colonial administration arrived in Igbo land, which led to the era of warrant chiefs. Maka was the first appointed warrant chief, followed by Obi Meze, who assumed the position even while Maka was alive. Obi Meze died in 1935, leading to an interregnum period. In 1946, the people of Nsugbe summoned J. N. Anyansi the first to rule as the chief. He was recognized as a second-class chief in 1962 and reigned until his death in 1967. Subsequently, Nsugbe faced another period of leadership crises as the Oba society emerged to challenge the multi-eze society. It was around this time that J.C. Anyansi was appointed as the chief of Nsugbe. Currently, Igwe Victor Ntorukah holds the position of Igwe of Nsugbe, although his recognition is not universal among all the villagers. ==Modern status==