The Ogbaru people are mainly farmers, fisherman, river traders and educators. Ogbaru people were among the first to embrace the Western education because of their strategic locations along the banks of the River Niger. However, the demands of farming meant that many Ogbaru people did not take up formal education very early.

Before the advent of the colonial masters, the Ogbaru people had highly ordered society that prided itself on an equally highly enforceable code of ethics that are still dominant. The societal norms and mores have been sustained. Social misdemeanors were highly discouraged and often met with agonizing reprisals. Lying for instance was and remains a big offense. A liar is always snubbed. Stealing is one of the worst crimes. A thief is always disowned by his or her family members, in some extreme cases; the culprit is banished for life. Stealing from a farm was seen, as desecration of the land and an offense against the "God" of Food. Incest and rape are taboos, and therefore, rare in the Olu tribe. Laziness has never been condoned. Of course, the people of Ogbaru believe in monodeity, which they call "Chukwu" or Olisa-na-Obuluwa-"Osebuluwa". A majority of the Ogbaru people are Catholics, while others are Protestants or atheists.

Ogbaru is very rich in culture. The Ogbaru culture mandates kindness to strangers, good behavior, respect to elders and older siblings. It is a taboo in Ogbaru for one to disrespect his/her parents, or even lay hands on them (beat them up). Several cultural activities and procedures, which are shared by all the Igbos, have been adopted and uniquely adapted by the Ogbaruans to their own style and form. They include, but are not limited to the following:

Ulo festival: This is a yearly festival that celebrates the planting season. It lasts for about four to five days with full enjoyment. Foods are in abundance, friends visit friends, and people put on their best attires. This feast is almost common to all Ogbaru towns.

Mgba—Wrestling Competition: This is also common in Ogbaru. Every village produces its best wrestler that will compete in a town level. Once one falls down for another wrestler that one is no longer a hero and cannot command respect anymore. Best wrestlers from each town will advance to lock horns with the counter-part in other towns. Wrestling heroes maintain high level of honor and respect in their lifetime. Akili, Ossomala, Aboh, Utchi, Ndoni, and Umuolu are known to have produced the best wrestlers.

Ozo-Title-Invitation: Chieftancy is very important to the Ogbaru people. It is used to classify the haves and have nots---the rich and the poor. Those who are rich take the Ozo-title, however: some rich individuals, especially Christians, may elect not to take the Ozo title. Ozo title holders are identified in the mist of others by their eagle or parrot plumes, their staff of office-"Asusu, Ogbachi, or Otulaka". Ogbaru towns are ruled by Kings known as Igwe or Okakwu as the case may be. The Kings from Oko, Odekpe, and Ossomala towns are greeted as Okakwu. They are called the Atamanyas—Igala "word", while other towns’ kings are greeted as Igwe.

Marriage: Marriage is of great value to Ogbaru people because of the emphasis placed on the type of offspring the marriage will produce. In Ogbaru, bridal prize (Dowry) is paid before a lady becomes married. Any married woman cannot have extra marital affairs. If she does, that’s a ground for divorce. The relatives of the woman’s husband beat up any man who has an affair with a married woman until the man pays the fines imposed by the town. By custom, a man who illicitly fathers a child with a married woman cannot claim that child as his own.

Dances: Dancing is very important to the Ogbaru people for exercises and celebrations. New dances are learned every year by young men and women. Ogbaru people dances in numerous occasions; whenever a family is bereaved, dancers are invited to console the family, in marriage ceremonies, in yearly festivals, and for leisure. Mermaid dance—"Egwu Amala" is the most popular of all Ogbaru dances.

Swimming and Canoeing Regattas: Swimming is to Ogbaru people as football is to Americans. Ogbaru people start learning how to swim as early as six months of age. One of the customary acts after a child is born, is to submerge the child in the river several times. Canoeing is a must to any Ogbaru child. A canoe is to an Ogbaru child what a bicycle is to an Igbo man. Dexterity in paddling the canoe or kayak (ugbor amala or ugbor ojo) is assumed of every Ogbaru man or woman. Canoeing remains a major means of transportation especially during the rainy season when the rivers rise. Canoes are used for fishing, business trips, wars, and sports. During the off farming period, Ogbaruans hold regattas for fun or competition.

Ibiuno Ceremony: In those good old days and even now, in some places in Ogbaru, young couple should stay with the husband’s parents for a period of three years. During this time, the young married couple is schooled on the dos and don’ts of a marriage; how a wife should treat the husband, and the responsibilities of an average husband. They are also tested on their mastery of human relations during the three years period. If they show maturity, they should be allowed to live on their own without daily supervision. The wife has to cook for the village to establish the Ibiuno rights. They are then accepted into marital echelon and their behaviors should be of utmost maturity.