June 14, 2025 has been formally designated as “Igbo Day” in the state of North Carolina in recognition of the contributions made by the state’s southeast Nigerian community.
In a statement posted on the state’s official website on June 12, Governor Josh Stein issued the declaration. He emphasized that for more than 50 years, the Igbo people have been a part of North Carolina’s social and economic fabric.
“Igbos have been a part of North Carolina’s economy, public service, and civic life for more than 50 years,” Stein stated. In addition to holding important positions in the state and federal governments, he pointed out that community members have achieved success in the fields of education, law, medicine, entrepreneurship, and information technology.
“By working together, the Igbo community hopes to encourage the next generation to value their identity and to create a strong sense of purpose and belonging in North Carolina,” the governor stated. “A thriving community that not only honors and promotes the rich heritage of the Igbo people of Nigeria in North Carolina, but also serves as a beacon of unity, support, and cultural pride,” he said, was the community’s stated objective.
The proclamation highlighted the Igbo community’s involvement in a number of charitable endeavors, such as organizing food pantry drives, supporting women’s shelters and hospitals, volunteering in local schools, adopting a highway for cleanup efforts, and taking part in cultural events at local festivals.
By raising cultural knowledge for upcoming generations, Igbos in North Carolina are committed to safeguarding the sustainability of Igbo culture, Stein stated. They are successful in a variety of professions and have taken part in elections.
The Igbo Day Festival Organization, a non-profit organization founded in 2022 with the goal of bringing families together and educating the public about Igbo music, art, culture, and customs, was also acknowledged in the proclamation. In July 2022, the organization hosted its inaugural event.
North Carolina has joined Minnesota in recognizing the Nigerian ethnic community with an official state declaration on August 13, 2022, as “Igbo Day.”
