Nigerian Center to hold cultural festival in US

The Nigerian Center, in partnership with Guinness Baltimore, is organizing the first Nigerian-American Festival, a three-day cultural celebration set to take place from October 16 to 18 at the Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Baltimore County, United States. The event is designed to highlight the vibrancy and diversity of Nigerian culture for an American audience.

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The Nigerian-American Festival reflects our belief that Nigeria’s story is larger than its borders. It lives through Nigerian Americans and resonates across the broader African diaspora, including African Americans and Afro-Latinos with shared ancestral and cultural ties to Nigeria.

The festival will offer a comprehensive showcase of Nigerian heritage, featuring live music, traditional cultural performances, authentic Nigerian cuisine, interactive activities, and retail vendors. The programming is intended to be family-friendly, providing an engaging experience for attendees. A unique aspect of the festival will be a custom, limited-time beer release, developed collaboratively by the team at Guinness Baltimore and The Nigerian Center, which will be exclusively available at the brewery during the event.

Gbenga Ogunjimi, Executive Director of The Nigerian Center, expressed his belief that the festival embodies Nigeria's story extending beyond its borders. He stated, "It lives through Nigerian Americans and resonates across the broader African diaspora, including African Americans and Afro-Latinos with shared ancestral and cultural ties to Nigeria." Ogunjimi highlighted the partnership with Guinness Open Gate Brewery as a platform where heritage, culture, entrepreneurship, and community converge.

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We are proud to partner with Guinness Open Gate Brewery to create a festival where heritage, culture, entrepreneurship, and community come together in celebration. We look forward to welcoming visitors from across the region to experience the richness, vibrancy, and global influence of Nigerian culture.

Ryan Wagner, the National Guinness Ambassador in the US, remarked that the festival would serve as a significant platform for celebrating Nigerian culture among the Nigerian diaspora in the US. He noted Guinness's long-standing connection with Nigeria, where the brand has become integral to celebrations and traditions for generations of consumers. The event aims to foster a deeper appreciation and understanding of Nigerian culture within the United States.

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Guinness has a proud and enduring relationship with Nigeria, where generations of consumers have made the brand part of their celebrations and traditions.