New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has praised Nigeria’s global cultural influence at the country’s 66th Independence Day Carnival, highlighting its impact through food, music, football and other contributions.
Mamdani spoke on Saturday at Nigeria’s 66th Independence Day Carnival in Manhattan, where thousands of Nigerians, diplomats, community leaders, professionals, families and cultural groups gathered to celebrate the anniversary.
The mayor received loud cheers from the crowd when he explained his decision to attend the parade.
“Somebody asked me if I was going to come to the parade. I said, ‘I don’t want any wahala, I have to be here!’” he said.
Mamdani, who was born in Kampala, Uganda, paid tribute to Nigeria’s cultural influence across Africa and among communities in the diaspora.
He recalled growing up listening to Nigerian music and expressed excitement about seeing Nigerian artistes perform at the carnival.
“I heard that Runtown was going to be here later, and I was born in Kampala, Uganda, and I grew up listening to ‘From Lagos to Kampala’,” he said.
The mayor also referenced Patoranking’s “My Woman, My Everything”, drawing applause from the audience.
Mamdani said Nigeria occupied a unique cultural position for Africans on the continent and in the diaspora, particularly through Lagos and the country’s influence on music, food and popular culture.
“Being someone who’s proud to be born in the continent of Africa, we all look to Lagos, we all look to Nigeria for a sense of self, a sense of belonging as well,” he said.
He identified Nigerian cuisine, music and football as some of the country’s contributions that have gained international recognition.
“Whether it’s Nigerian food, whether it’s Nigerian music, whether it’s Nigerian soccer players, we know that Nigeria is a part of our life,” Mamdani said.
“When we look across this city, we look at what we love, we know that so much of it was made possible because of Nigerian New Yorkers like you.”
The mayor also cited U.S. international footballer Folarin Balogun, who was born in Brooklyn to Nigerian parents, as an example of Nigerian contributions to American society.
The carnival featured a colourful parade through Manhattan, with participants dressed in traditional outfits and Nigeria’s green and white colours.
The procession began around East 54th Street and moved along Second Avenue, passing Nigeria House before converging at Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza on East 47th Street.
Participants waved Nigerian flags, danced and sang as floats representing community organizations moved through the streets.
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The celebration later continued at the plaza with music, food, speeches and performances by Nigerian artistes Patoranking, Runtown and BNXN, formerly known as Buju.
Hundreds of celebrants sang and danced to Afrobeats performances while vendors served Nigerian meals and snacks.
Children, young people and older Nigerians joined the celebration, creating a gathering that brought together different generations of Nigerians living in the United States.
Nigeria’s Consul-General in New York, Amb. Abubakar Jidda, congratulated Nigerians across the 20 states under the consulate’s jurisdiction on the anniversary.
Jidda said October 1 served as a reminder of the courage, sacrifice and vision of the people who secured Nigeria’s independence.
He commended Nigerians in the United States for making contributions in medicine, education, business, science, arts and other professional fields.
Jidda urged Nigerians in the diaspora to contribute to national development through their knowledge, skills, networks and investments.
“Wherever we live, we each have a part to play in Nigeria’s progress,” he said, calling for peace, unity and prosperity.
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Amb. Jimoh Ibrahim, said the anniversary should encourage every generation to renew its commitment to unity, peace, progress and responsible nation-building.
“Nigeria’s story on the world stage is ultimately the story of her exceptional citizens,” Ibrahim said.
He said Nigeria’s engagement at the United Nations had entered a renewed phase driven by proactive and results-oriented diplomacy.
Ibrahim said Nigeria was increasingly visible and engaged on the global stage, while describing Nigerians in the diaspora as an important part of the country’s international strength.
He highlighted the contributions of Nigerian professionals, entrepreneurs, scholars, innovators and community leaders around the world.
The Organization for the Advancement of Nigerians has coordinated the Nigerian Independence Day celebration in New York since 1991.
The organization established the event to bring Nigerians together across ethnic and religious backgrounds while promoting the community’s culture and contributions in the United States.
The carnival provided an opportunity for Nigerians in New York to celebrate their heritage, reconnect with their culture and strengthen ties within the diaspora community.
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