[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1546 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1546
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.
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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 16, 2026
Mr. Bishop (for himself, Mrs. Beatty, Mr. Carson, Mr. Carter of
Louisiana, Ms. Clarke of New York, Mr. Frost, Mr. Jackson of Illinois,
Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Ms. Kamlager-Dove, Ms. McClellan, Mr. Menefee,
Ms. Norton, Mr. Smith of Washington, Mr. Thanedar, Ms. Tlaib, Mr.
Veasey, and Ms. Waters) submitted the following resolution; which was
referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
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.
Whereas the United States is encouraged to recognize Nigerian Heritage Month to
honor the history, culture, and contributions of Nigerians and Nigerian
Americans to the Nation's social, cultural, and economic fabric;
Whereas Nigeria achieved independence from the United Kingdom on October 1,
1960, and Nigerian Independence Day has since become an annual
celebration of Nigerian history, culture, heritage, and national
identity both in Nigeria and throughout the Nigerian diaspora;
Whereas Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, home to more than
250,000,000 people and over 250 ethnic groups, including the Hausa,
Yoruba, Igbo, Fulani, Tiv, Kanuri/Beri-Beri, Ibibio, Ijaw/Izon, and many
others, reflecting extraordinary linguistic, religious, and cultural
diversity;
Whereas the influence of Nigerian heritage extends throughout the United States,
as millions of African Americans, Afro-Latinos, Caribbean Americans, and
members of the broader African diaspora share ancestral, cultural, and
historical connections to the peoples and regions that comprise present-
day Nigeria, reflecting Nigeria's enduring contributions to the cultural
heritage, economic prosperity, civic life, and social fabric of the
United States;
Whereas Nigeria's early leadership included prominent statesmen such as Dr.
Nnamdi Azikiwe, a leading figure in Nigeria's independence movement who
came to the United States in 1925 to pursue higher education, earned
undergraduate and graduate degrees at American institutions, returned to
Africa to advance the cause of self-determination and independence, and
later became Nigeria's first President when Nigeria became a Federal
Republic in 1963, helping shape the nation's early diplomatic engagement
with the international community, with his inauguration attended by Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr., reflecting the historic ties between Nigeria's
independence movement and the American Civil Rights Movement;
Whereas the relationship between the United States and Nigeria dates back to
Nigeria's independence in 1960, when the United States was among the
first countries to formally recognize the newly independent Federal
Republic of Nigeria in 1963 and establish diplomatic relations;
Whereas, since that time, Nigerian Americans have become one of the fastest-
growing and most highly educated immigrant populations in the United
States, contributing significantly to fields such as medicine,
engineering, technology, education, law, public service,
entrepreneurship, sports, and the arts;
Whereas Nigerian Americans have founded and led thousands of businesses across
the United States, strengthening local economies and contributing to
innovation, job creation, and community development;
Whereas the United States and Nigeria maintain a strong bilateral partnership
rooted in shared democratic values, economic cooperation, regional
stability, and security collaboration, including joint efforts to combat
terrorism, advance prosperity, and promote peace and democracy in West
Africa;
Whereas Nigeria remains one of the United States most important trading partners
in Africa, with cooperation spanning energy, agriculture, education,
public health, and cultural exchange;
Whereas Nigerians and Nigerian Americans have made extraordinary contributions
to literature, science, medicine, technology, entertainment, sports, and
the arts, including Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka; renowned novelist
Chinua Achebe, author of the seminal work Things Fall Apart, one of the
most influential works of African literature; and Fela Anikulapo Kuti,
the pioneering creator of Afrobeat, whose music, cultural influence, and
advocacy for justice transformed global culture and continue to inspire
audiences around the world;
Whereas the Nigerian Center, headquartered in Washington, DC, serves as a
national institution dedicated to preserving, promoting, and advancing
Nigerian heritage, culture, civic participation, and economic
opportunity while fostering stronger connections among Nigerian
Americans, the broader African diaspora, African Americans, Afro-
Latinos, and all communities linked through shared African ancestry and
cultural heritage;
Whereas, on October 1, 2022, Nigeria's Independence Day, the Mayor of
Washington, DC, officially recognized Nigerian American Day, marking an
important milestone in the acknowledgment of Nigerian heritage and
contributions at the municipal level;
Whereas multiple cities and jurisdictions across the United States, including
Boston and New York City, have recognized Nigeria's Independence Day
through official proclamations, resolutions, and public celebrations;
Whereas Nigerian Independence Day is celebrated annually in several states,
including Maryland, Texas, California, Georgia, Massachusetts, New
Jersey, and New York, through parades, cultural festivals, and civic
recognitions, reflecting the growing visibility and contributions of
Nigerian Americans nationwide;
Whereas Nigerian Americans have enriched the cultural diversity of the United
States, strengthening communities across all 50 States and contributing
to civic life at every level of government and society; and
Whereas recognizing Nigerian Heritage Month will provide an opportunity to
educate the American public about Nigerian history, deepen cultural
understanding, and strengthen ties between the United States and
Nigeria: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the designation as Nigerian Heritage Month;
(2) celebrates the cultural, historical, and economic
contributions of Nigerians and Nigerian Americans to the
Nation;
(3) recognizes the importance of the bilateral relationship
between the United States and the Federal Republic of Nigeria
and reaffirms its commitment to strengthening diplomatic,
economic, educational, and cultural ties;
(4) encourages Federal, State, and local governments,
educational institutions, and cultural organizations to observe
Nigerian Heritage Month with appropriate programs, ceremonies,
and activities that highlight Nigerian history, culture, and
contributions; and
(5) honors the legacy, achievements, and ongoing
contributions of Nigerian Americans to the prosperity,
diversity, and strength of the United States.
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