By Gbenga Ogunjimi
“Nigerians know how to raise the standard for the country, not just for themselves,” said Ambassador Samson Itegboje at the recently concluded Community Virtual Town Hall, hosted by the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, DC, alongside the consulates in Atlanta and New York.
As the meeting began, there was a palpable sense of curiosity and expectation in the room. Would this be a moment of real change or just business as usual? As someone who has long called for greater accountability from the embassy and offered recommendations for the incoming Nigerian ambassador to Washington, I shared that same anticipation. However, this town hall felt different. It marked a shift in momentum. For the first time in a long time, the standards by which we hold our leadership seemed to be evolving. Right in our midst, a new standard was emerging, with the Nigerian diaspora at its core.
What stood out most was the participation of community organizations. The meeting brought together key groups such as the Nigerian Center, the Nigerian American Public Affairs Committee (NAPAC), and the Nigerian American Lawyers Association (NALA), each bringing its expertise and commitment to raising the standard. These organizations ensured that community voices were not only heard but actively engaged in shaping the dialogue.
Even more remarkably, the meeting extended for additional hours to accommodate every participant’s questions. It was an unprecedented move and a clear departure from the status quo. Topics ranged from diaspora voting rights and travel guidance for dual U.S.-Nigerian citizens to U.S. immigration policies and consular services. The discussions underscored a crucial point: real progress happens when leaders actively listen to and engage with the people they represent.
The Nigerian diaspora remains the country’s greatest untapped asset. If this same community has contributed to America’s prosperity, imagine the impact it could have on Nigeria. The Nigerian diaspora is one of the most powerful immigrant communities in the U.S., a strategic force capable of elevating Nigeria’s global standing. As Nigeria moves toward implementing its new foreign policy framework, the 4D Doctrine of Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora, this meeting demonstrated how the diaspora component can be effectively community- led.
This is a significant opportunity to collectively raise the standard for Nigeria in two specific ways: institutional engagement with the diaspora and then using the diaspora as storytellers to change the narrative of Nigeria globally and in the United States. Traditionally, Nigeria has relied on trade missions, diplomatic efforts, and governmental delegations to Washington, DC, to shape its image. While these initiatives are important, they often fall short of making a lasting impact.
This meeting, however, signaled the emergence of a new approach, one where the diaspora community itself, with its shared dual identity as Nigerians and Americans, takes the lead in shaping Nigeria’s global narrative. One participant even proposed the creation of a cabinet-level position dedicated to diaspora affairs to complement the work of the Embassy and agencies like NIDCOM. This, they argued, would ensure that diaspora concerns are systematically addressed within Nigeria’s governance structure. Furthermore, raising the standard for Nigeria in Washington means reshaping Nigeria’s narrative in America and elevating its brand authority.
This is why, when we at the Nigerian Center engage with everyday Americans and institutions, we emphasize that our story is not just about new immigrants coming to the United States. It also includes the story of African Americans and Afro-Latinos whose origin story traces back to Nigeria. This broader Nigerian brand story must be intentionally told, and again the diaspora is its most powerful storyteller.
Overall, the success of the meeting highlights a crucial gap in the country’s leadership culture, one that, when addressed, fosters a deeper sense of empathy and renewed trust between the government and its people. When leaders actively listen and engage with their communities, they gain insights that no policy paper can provide. The question remains and only time will tell if this is the meeting that initiated the change that us in attendance are so eager to see.
As one town hall participant from Michigan aptly expressed, “You have called on us, and we have responded. You asked us to be nice, and we have. You asked us to understand your constraints, and we have. Now, we ask that this trust is not wasted.”
Gbenga Ogunjimi, Executive Director, Nigerian Center (Washington, DC); Fellow, Global Leaders – African Descent Social Entrepreneurship Program (U.S. State Department;) Adjunct Professor, University of the District of Columbia
