Isoko people

Isoko people are an ethnolinguistic group who inhabit the Isoko region of Delta State and Bayelsa State, Nigeria. They are people of southern Nigeria, near the northwestern Niger delta. Delta State and Bayelsa State are part of the 36 states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Isokos speak the Isoko language, a language of the Kwa branch of the Niger-Congo family which is also very linguistically similar to the Urhobo language, Epie-Atissa language, Engenni language. James W. Welch asserted erroneously that Isoko language cluster is a dialect of Urhobo language.

The Isoko culture is related to several cultures in the Niger-Delta - namely, Urhobo, Ijaw and Anioma. Urhobo are related in language and culture, leading to the invaders erroneously labelling the Urhobo and Isoko cultural groups as Sobo. This name was strongly rejected by both tribes.

The Isoko ethnic group consist of nineteen clans ,namely: Uzere, Ozoro, Erowha, Owhe, Iyede, Okpe, Emede, Igbide, Emevor, Ofagbe, Ellu, Oyede, Umeh, Irri, Aviara, Olomoro, Enwhe, Okpolo and Oleh.

Notable people

 * Obaro Ikime, Professor of History, University of Ibadan
 * Stella Omu, Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
 * Jonathan Akpoborie, Nigerian international footballer
 * Victor Ikpeba, Nigerian international footballer and brand ambassador
 * Eva Alordiah, rap musician
 * Fred Amata, actor
 * Jeta Amata, filmmaker
 * Bovi, comedian
 * Patience Oghogho Maseli, first female Deputy Director of Upstream Division at the Department of Petroleum Resources
 * Evi Edna Ogholi, reggae musician
 * Orezi, musician
 * Daddy Showkey, garala singer
 * Masai Ujiri, President and former GM of the Toronto Raptors
 * Solid Star, musician
 * Samuel Oboh, Canadian architect
 * Cornelius Adam Igbudu (1914-1981), founder of the Anglican Adam Preaching Society
 * Ogaga Ifowodo, human rights activist, lawyer, and writer