Nigerian Center Announces Historic U.S. Congress Recognition of Nigerian Heritage Month
WASHINGTON, D.C. September 22, 2026 — The Nigerian Center proudly announces the introduction of a historic resolution in the U.S. Congress supporting the recognition of October as Nigerian Heritage Month. To mark this milestone, the Nigerian Center will host a press conference on October 1, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in Washington, D.C. The press conference will bring together community leaders, advocates, and elected officials to celebrate the occasion and highlight the significance of the resolution.
The press conference is open to members of the media and the general public. To register to attend in person or join virtually, click HERE.
For more information and media inquiries, please contact Nkechi Ilechie at nkechi@nigeriancenter.org.
Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) introduced House Resolution 1546 on September 16, 2026, expressing support for the recognition of Nigerian Heritage Month and celebrating the heritage, culture, and contributions of Nigerians and Nigerian Americans in the United States.
The resolution recognizes the significant contributions Nigerian Americans have made in business, healthcare, education, technology, public service, the arts, entrepreneurship, and communities across the country. It also highlights the important role of the Nigerian-American diaspora in strengthening the longstanding relationship between the United States and Nigeria.
Congressman Bishop, who introduced House Resolution 1546, emphasized the breadth and impact of the Nigerian-American community:
“Nigerian Americans are among our most accomplished and highly educated citizens. They contribute so much to the rich fabric of our communities in Georgia and in many communities across the United States. I introduced House Resolution 1546 to recognize the generations of Nigerians who have immigrated to America’s shores and continue to make a difference in a wide range of fields such as medicine, engineering, technology, education, law, public service, entrepreneurship, sports, and the arts.”
— Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.
Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01) also expressed his support for the recognition, highlighting the contributions of Nigerian Americans and the connection between Nigerian heritage and the broader American experience:
“October is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary contributions of Nigerian-Americans to the fabric of our nation. Nigerian-Americans have strengthened our communities through their leadership in business, medicine, education, science, the arts, faith, and public service. Their success reflects the enduring bonds between the United States and Nigeria and the power of the African diaspora to build bridges across nations and generations. I proudly support recognizing October as Nigerian Heritage Month. This is a time to honor the rich history, culture, resilience, and achievements of the Nigerian-American community, while inspiring the next generation to continue building a stronger, more inclusive, and more prosperous America. Nigerian heritage is American heritage, and we celebrate the people whose contributions make our nation stronger.”
— Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson
The Nigerian Center has championed the effort to establish Nigerian Heritage Month as part of its broader work to advance policies and initiatives that elevate the Nigerian American community and strengthen U.S.-Nigeria relations.
“This resolution is more than a recognition of our heritage; it is a recognition of the impact Nigerian Americans continue to make across the United States. We are grateful to Congressman Bishop for his leadership and to the Members of Congress who have co-sponsored this effort. Nigerian Heritage Month gives our community an opportunity to celebrate our history while ensuring that our contributions are recognized as part of the broader American story.”
— Nkechi Ilechie, Policy Director, Nigerian Center
House Resolution 1546 Cosponsors
House Resolution 1546 was introduced with the support of 16 cosponsors:
Rep. Joyce Beatty (OH-03)
Rep. André Carson (IN-07)
Rep. Troy A. Carter (LA-02)
Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09)
Rep. Maxwell Frost (FL-10)
Rep. Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01)
Rep. Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (GA-04)
Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37)
Rep. Jennifer L. McClellan (VA-04)
Rep. Christian D. Menefee (TX-18)
Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At Large)
Rep. Adam Smith (WA-09)
Rep. Shri Thanedar (MI-13)
Rep. Rashida Tlaib (MI-12)
Rep. Marc A. Veasey (TX-33)
Rep. Maxine Waters (CA-43)
The full text of House Resolution 1546 is available through the U.S. Congress, click HERE
As part of its celebration of Nigerian Heritage Month, the Nigerian Center will host the Nigerian American Festival from October 16–18, 2026, in Baltimore, Maryland. The three-day festival will bring together community members, cultural leaders, artists, and partners to celebrate Nigerian culture, heritage, and the contributions of Nigerian Americans across the United States. The festival will serve as one of the signature celebrations of Nigerian Heritage Month, providing a platform to showcase Nigerian culture and strengthen connections between the Nigerian American community and the broader American public.
The Nigerian Center views the congressional resolution as an opportunity to build greater awareness of the Nigerian American experience and create a lasting platform for celebrating the community’s history, achievements, and contributions to American society. The Center looks forward to working with Members of Congress, community leaders, and stakeholders across the country to commemorate Nigerian Heritage Month and further strengthen ties among the Nigerian-American community, the United States, and Nigeria.
About the Nigerian Center
The Nigerian Center is a Washington, D.C.-based national civic institution advancing social justice, culture, and opportunity for Nigerian and broader African diaspora communities in the United States. Through legal services, financial empowerment programs, cultural initiatives, and public policy engagement, the Center works to strengthen communities and elevate the role of the diaspora in shaping U.S.-Africa relations.
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