The Nigerian Center in U.S secures $40,000 grant to support immigrants legally, economically

The Nigerian Center has been awarded a $40,000 grant from the Meyer foundation to advance immigrant justice, such as its immigration walk-in legal aid program and economic opportunities for Nigerian immigrants in the United States (US).

The center champions financial inclusion, immigrant justice, and cultural empowerment for immigrants from Black-majority nations.

The grant will also strenghten the center’s core operations and support its flagship initiative, Washington’s Prosperity Campaign, which is a citywide initiative celebrating the vital contributions of immigrants  as entrepreneurs, civic leaders, and community builders, to the prosperity of the Washington, DC metropolitan region.

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The Washington Prosperity Campaign initiative in particularly is targeted at reframing public narratives around immigration by spotlighting the essential contributions of immigrants.

Overall, the Nigerian Center equips immigrant families with the tools to build secure and fulfilling lives in the US through a combination of policy advocacy, cultural programming, legal support, financial services, entrepreneurship training, and homeownership initiatives.

In a statement, Gbenga Ogunjimi, executive director of the Nigerian Center, emphasised the alignment between the two organisations:

“When we considered the opportunity to drive systemic change in partnership with the Meyer Foundation, their commitment to regional responsibility strongly resonated with our mission. The Nigerian Center remains steadfast in its dedication to advancing the region’s immigrant communities, particularly those from Black-majority countries who continue to face entrenched barriers in policy, legal access, and economic mobility. This partnership empowers us to deepen that work.”

Founded in 1944 by Eugene Meyer, publisher of Washington Post and Agnes E. Meyer, author and activist, the Meyer Foundation is a philanthropic institution that invests in initiatives aimed at building Greater Washington, where economically disadvantaged communities can thrive.