The United States Consul General, Will Stevens, has disclosed that over 700,000 Nigerians are living and working in the U.S. Speaking at the 248th Independence Day celebration held in Lagos to commemorate today’s Independence anniversary, Stevens said it underscored the significance of the U.S.-Nigeria people-to-people ties, which is the bedrock of America’s relationship with Nigeria.
He noted that the two countries were two proud federal republics that shared a commitment to democracy and freedom. “Independence Day, or July 4, is one of the United States’ most cherished holidays. It’s a day when family and friends gather to celebrate the founding of our country, to reflect on the challenges we have overcome as a nation, and to affirm the democratic principles that have guided us for nearly 250 years.
“Similarly, few weeks ago, we gathered with our Nigerian partners to observe Democracy Day and celebrate 25 years since Nigeria’s return to democracy. As the two largest presidential democracies in the world, the United States and Nigeria serve as robust examples for the rest of the globe.”
Speaking on the theme of the celebration, ‘The Great American Roadtrip,’ he said: “You will see booths dedicated to the states of California, Georgia, New York, and Texas. We selected these states because they boast some of the highest numbers of Nigerian diaspora in the United States. Over 700,000 people of Nigerian descent live in the United States, the largest of any African country. Nigerian culture and heritage are an integral part of the American story.
“And later this month we will welcome President Biden’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement, which includes two Nigerian Americans, to explore how these people-to-people ties translate into increased economic prosperity for both our nations.”
