The Mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani, joined thousands of Nigerians in Manhattan on Saturday for the 66th Nigerian Independence Day Parade and Carnival, paying glowing tribute to the Nigerian community’s contribution to the city.
The Mayor, who was born in Kampala, Uganda, told the cheering crowd at Madison Square Park that he could not afford to miss the celebration.
Thousands of Nigerians in New York City turned Manhattan green-white-green on Saturday, October 3, 2026, for the 66th Nigerian Independence Day Parade and Carnival.
The parade kicked off at 10am at 2nd Avenue and East 54th Street, proceeding down to East 44th Street, before transitioning into a carnival festival at Madison Square Park from 1:30pm to 5pm.
The Mayor of New York Zohran
Mamdani appreciated the Organisers for the Advancement of Nigerian culture and the Nigeria Independence Committee for hosting what he described as a celebration of African pride.
He said Nigerians in New York have shaped the city’s culture, from food and music to sports.
Mamdani cited US national team striker Folarin Balogun, born in Brooklyn to Nigerian parents, as an example of Nigerian excellence celebrated across America this summer.
Also speaking at the event,
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim, urged Nigerians in the city to be resilient and continue to be good Ambassadors of the country.
The 66th Independence Parade, which moved from 2nd Avenue and East 54th Street to Madison Square Park, drew thousands of Nigerians, friends of Nigeria and members of the African diaspora, with performances by Runtown, Patoranking, BNXN and others.
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Editor: Nkoli Omhoudu
