About Us
The Nigerian Center Inc. (501c3), is the first immigrant and cultural center for the Nigerian diaspora in the United States.
The Nigerian Center's mission is to offer financial inclusion and social justice opportunities for members of the African immigrant community. We educate, empower, uplift, and assist all immigrant families in acclimating to life in the United States through policy advocacy, cultural, legal aid services, entrepreneurship, and homeownership opportunities.
Located in the nation’s capital, the center aims to complement and amplify the efforts of community-based nonprofits serving the African immigrant community in the United States. The Nigerian Center also provides a platform for members of the African diaspora to learn about their Nigerian heritage while connecting them to the current Nigerian American culture in the United States. The center curates cultural programs for first-generation Nigerian Americans and will support newly arrived immigrants with culturally sensitive transition and self-sufficiency opportunities
Our Core Values
Diversity - There is power and strength in our cultural diversity. Therefore we celebrate the diversity of all Nigeria's ethnic groups as the country's greatest asset.
Culture - Nigerians in the diaspora are custodians of the Nigerian culture and cultural ambassadors to the global African diaspora.
Leadership - We honor the Nigerian spirit of innovation and resilience. The Nigerian Diaspora only needs guidance and opportunity, we will lead and transform this host community.
Responsibility - Nigerians in the diaspora are bridge-builders and change agents to the world as well as assets to the prosperity of Nigeria.
Borderless - There are no boundaries or walls among Nigerians in the diaspora. Our singular goal through unity is to show the world our rich culture, history, and identity.
Gbenga Ogunjimi, Founder
Gbenga is a West African word that means Elevate. As a social entrepreneur and storytelling expert, Gbenga applies his wealth of experience in social enterprise as a bridge-builder - bridging the gap of access holding back leaders from making imprints on the global stage. Gbenga has also worked with the governments of the United States and several emerging countries to empower profit and nonprofit leaders. He has received global recognitions for his work and impact. He is proudly an Atlas Corps Fellowship Alum (United States), Global Young Social Entrepreneurs Fellow (Malaysia), and Cordes/Opportunity Collaboration Fellow (Mexico). Gbenga is the Executive Producer of Good to Great Stories: A Small Business Documentary. And the author of Borderless Voice: The Power of Telling Your Story and Defining Your Identity.