ABOUT

Nigeria is the most populous black nation on earth, with a population of 213 million, and has Africa’s biggest economy. Its Nollywood is home to the second largest film industry in the world, second only to Hollywood. The country is the technological and fashion hub of Africa. Nigeria’s fashion and music, expressed in the vibrant costumes and rhythms of its over 250 ethnic groups and 350 languages, are bringing immense joy to the globe, whether in far-away Qatar World cup or in the radio waive closest to you.

The Nigerian diaspora is often the most educated elite (by ratio to population) wherever they are found, and they are known for their vibrant, friendly and resourceful nature. There are currently over 20,000 Nigerians and Canadians of Nigerian origin living and studying in the British Columbia.

The Nigeria-Canada Association of British Columbia, the largest black organization in the province, has now seen the need to formally present and showcase, for the pleasure of all Canadians, what Nigerian-Canadians are bringing to the entertainment and leisure table in the province. We are present NaijaFest!

NaijaFest is not about the country that has given the world its richest black man, Aliko Dangote, and its richest black woman, Folorunsho Alakija – not Oprah Winfrey. It is not about the British Nigerian who bought and owns London City Airport, Gatwick Airport and Edinburgh Airport, Adebayo Ogunlesi, a British Nigerian! Or about Masai Ujiri, the president of the 2019 NBA Champions, Toronto Raptors, another British- Nigerian. It will also not be about Daniel Igali, the Surrey resident from Nigeria who won Canada’s first Olympic wrestling gold, or about the fact that there is no soccer league in all of Europe or NBA or NFL teams that does not boast of Nigerian stars. NaijaFest will not emphasize the creative dominance of Nigerians across the science and tech space of USA and Europe, their institutions and research centres…

NaijaFest will be a 2-day event that will hold at Bear Creek Park, Surrey, BC on 12 and 13 August 2023. It will be a colourful celebration of what Nigerians are known for – their rich culture, vibrant costume, tasty food and rhythmic music. NaijaFest will give a taste of the sweet Nigerian experience to Canadians and assure them that Nigerians here are an integral part of the inclusive mosaic of cultures that have come to mark Beautiful and Super Natural British Columbia as the very best reflection of what Canada is.