Every year parade goers and proud supporters peacefully march down Second Avenue in celebration. There will be a range of vendors providing traditional food favorites and merchandise to indulge in as usual. Expect inspiring live performances and dancing. Rain or shine, We will rejoice in unity.
Parade History
Nigeria Independence Day Parade was started by Organization for the Advancement of Nigerians (O.A.N. Inc.); and has been an annual event since 1991. It is the only parade by an African nation in the City of New York, which plays host to hundreds of various nations’ parades that range from the Far East to the West Indies.
In 1991, the first-ever Nigeria Independence Day Parade in the United States of America was held on Madison Avenue – in the heart of Manhattan, and home of the advertising and publishing industry. What was supposed to be the maiden voyage of great celebration was marred by heavy downpour of rain. In spite of being rain-soaked, the indefatigable spirit of patriotic Nigerians soared high and the parade marched on.
The second Nigeria Independence Day Parade was held in Harlem – the Black Capital of the World. Nigerians and friends of Nigeria gathered on the north side of Central Park located at 110th Street and marched along Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard to the Harlem State Building located at 125th Street and Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. Present at that occasion were: His Excellency Ambassador Ibrahim Gambari, then Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations; Honorable David Dinkins, the first African-American Mayor of New York City; United States Congressman Charles Rangel; and other Nigerian and American dignitaries. On that day, Ambassador Gambari encouraged the organizers to move the parade to Second Avenue upon completion of Nigeria House.
