Nigerian Americans have long been recognized as the most educated immigrant in the US, and now their participation in US politics has gradually increased as evident in the last general election. This is also evident in the younger first-generation Nigerian Americans’ youth grass root-community participation.
In the last US election, many Nigerian American politicians emerged winners in their respective elective posts in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and the District of Columbia (DC) in the ongoing US midterm elections. Segun Adeyina, Gabe Okoye, Solomon Adesanya, Tish Naghise, Phil Olaleye, Carol Kazeem, Oye Owolewa, and Esther Agbaje won legislative seats as State Representatives in their respective Districts across the United States.
USC Santa Barbara Elects it’s First Black Student to Represent Local Affairs.
In the last few years, the increase in Nigerian Americans’ participation in US politics has grown exponentially. As young Nigerian Americans across the United States are becoming more politically visible and engaged in US politics, there is also an ongoing increase in local community grass root participation of Nigerian Americans first-generation who wants to be recognized and be part of the ongoing youth activism in US politics.
Over the past few decades, Nigerian Americans have been increasingly involved in American politics. From running for office to campaigning for candidates to advocating for policy changes, the Nigerian American community has become a significant force in shaping the political landscape of the United States.
As one of the fastest-growing immigrant communities in the United States, with an estimated population of over 580,000 Nigerian Americans. Nigerian Americans are highly educated and politically engaged and are making their mark in various sectors, including business, technology, and medicine.
One notable example is the election of Adewale “Wally” Adeyemo as Deputy Secretary of the Treasury in 2021, making him the highest-ranking Nigerian American in the U.S. government. The increase in Nigerian American participation in U.S. politics is a testament to the community’s growing political power and influence. As more Nigerian Americans become involved in politics, they are bringing a unique perspective and set of experiences to the table, and are helping to shape policies that affect not only their own community but also the broader American society.
Perhaps one of the best youth that exemplified local community activism is a first-generation Nigerian American; Osaze Osayande, a third-year Psych & Brain Sciences major and minor in Poverty, Inequality, & Social Justice, who was recently elected by a wide margin to become the first Black student to be elected as External Vice President for Local Affairs.https://dailynexus.com/2023-04-20/osaze-osayande-for-external-vice-president-for-local-affairs/
According to Osaze Osayande, “As a minoritized student, I know what it’s like to feel underrepresented on campus. My primary goal is to guarantee every student feels heard and supported regardless of whether I am their representative. I love UCSB and want to see it at its best.”
The increase in Nigerian American participation in U.S. politics is a positive development that reflects the growing diversity of American society. As Nigerian Americans continue to make their mark in various sectors, including politics, they are contributing to a more vibrant and inclusive democracy that reflects the voices and experiences of alL.
AFRO WORLD NEWS
