North Carolina Officially Declares June 14 as ‘Igbo Day’

The state of North Carolina has officially declared June 14, 2025, as ‘Igbo Day’, honouring the culture, contributions, and community spirit of the Igbo people, one of Nigeria’s major ethnic groups. This makes North Carolina the fourth U.S. state to recognise a Nigerian ethnic group with an official day of celebration.

Governor Josh Stein issued the proclamation, which was published on the state government’s website, acknowledging the longstanding presence and influence of the Igbo community in North Carolina. In his declaration, the governor praised the Igbos for enriching the state’s economic, cultural, and civic life, particularly in fields such as education, law, medicine, technology, and the arts.

“The Igbos are committed to preserving and promoting their rich cultural heritage from Nigeria,” Stein said. “They have contributed significantly to our communities, from professional excellence to civic engagement and charitable work.” The governor also commended the community for fostering unity, supporting one another, and passing on cultural traditions to future generations.

The proclamation also recognised the efforts of the Igbo Day Festival Organisation, established in July 2022, which has played a vital role in celebrating Igbo culture through events featuring art, music, language, and community activities. The group held its inaugural Igbo Day Festival in July 2022, drawing attention to the vibrancy and pride within the Igbo community.

Governor Stein noted that Igbos in North Carolina are active citizens, participating in elections, volunteering in local schools, supporting women’s shelters, running food drives, and even adopting local highways to support environmental cleanups. He added that they continue to serve in public and private sectors, including roles in state and federal government.

With this declaration, North Carolina joins Minnesota, New York, and Texas in recognising the cultural contributions of Nigerian communities in the United States. Minnesota previously designated a day for the Igbo community, while New York and Texas have recognised the Yoruba community with Yoruba Day and YorubaFest Day, respectively.

The governor concluded his proclamation by encouraging all citizens of North Carolina to observe June 14 as Igbo Day, celebrating the rich heritage and invaluable contributions of the Igbo people to the state.