By Tiamiyu Prudence Arobani
New York, Oct. 4, 2026
Nigeria’s Consul-General in New York, Amb. Abubakar Jidda, says the annual Independence Day Parade has become an important instrument of Nigeria’s soft power.
Jidda told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the celebration projected Nigeria through music, entertainment, culture and the visibility of its diaspora community.
“One of the aspects of diplomacy is soft power, and what we are doing today is part of soft power,” he said.
According to him, bringing Nigerian artistes to perform in New York helps promote the country’s image while strengthening connections among Nigerians abroad.
“Using music, entertainment to promote the image of Nigeria, for us, that is warming the heart and bringing Nigerians closer together,” Jidda said.
He said the turnout also demonstrated that Nigeria’s Independence celebration had grown beyond Nigerians to attract people of other nationalities.
“You can see it’s not just Nigerians, but the entire world has joined us today to mark this day and make it a memorable one,” he said.
Jidda said the gathering also reflected President Bola Tinubu administration’s emphasis on engaging Nigerians in the diaspora.
“It means a lot. It means the foreign policy thrust of Mr President in diaspora is working,” the Consul-General said.
He said the parade encouraged Nigerians to celebrate the foundation laid by the country’s independence leaders since 1960.
NAN reports that New York glittered in green and white on Saturday as thousands of Nigerians poured onto Manhattan streets for a colourful Independence Day parade and carnival.
Nigerians from all walks of life joined diplomats, community organisations, cultural groups, professionals, families and friends to celebrate the country’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
The annual Nigeria Independence Day Parade and Carnival is adjudged the largest gathering of Nigerians abroad.
The celebration began with a procession from East 54th Street along Second Avenue, with participants marching southward in colourful floats, traditional attire and Nigeria’s national colours.
The procession moved past Nigeria House before terminating around East 44th Street, turning one of Manhattan’s busiest corridors into a sea of green and white.
Nigerian flags fluttered from floats and in the hands of participants as music, dancing, drumming and chants of national pride accompanied the procession.
Among prominent Nigerians who joined the parade were UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Amb. Jimoh Ibrahim, and Jidda, among others.
