# The Nigerian Diaspora in the United States

> The Nigerian diaspora in the United States is one of the largest African immigrant populations in the country, concentrated in Texas, Maryland, New York and California. The US Census Bureau's American Community Survey counted 476,000 Nigerian-born US residents in 2023, a figure distinct from the larger population reporting Nigerian ancestry, which includes US-born children of immigrants.

**Category:** Diaspora · **Updated:** 2026-07-26 19:36:35 · **Canonical:** https://nigeriastuff.org/a/nigerian-diaspora-usa

## Key facts
- **Nigerian-born US residents:** 476,000 (2023 American Community Survey, 1-year estimate)
- **Growth rate, 2006–2023:** Roughly 4.8% per year on average; up from just under 200,000 in 2006
- **Largest single-city concentration:** Houston, Texas — 34,937 Nigerian-Americans (2020 US Census)
- **Top states by Nigerian population:** Texas, Maryland, New York, California
- **Global Nigerian diaspora (NiDCOM estimate):** Approximately 17 million Nigerians abroad, across all countries
- **Overseeing Nigerian agency:** Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), est. 2017
- **As of:** 22 July 2026

## Sources
- The Population of Nigerian-Born Immigrants in the US Increases at an Average of 4.8% per Year — IntelPoint (analysis of Migration Policy Institute / US Census Bureau ACS data) (https://intelpoint.co/insights/the-population-of-nigerian-born-immigrants-in-the-us-increases-at-an-average-of-4-8-per-year/)
- Are Nigerian immigrants top of the class in the US? — Africa Check (https://africacheck.org/fact-checks/reports/are-nigerian-immigrants-top-class-us)
- 'There's something magical happening in Alief:' Alief embraces Nigerian culture — Click2Houston (KPRC 2) (https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2024/02/23/theres-something-magical-happening-in-alief-alief-embraces-nigerian-culture/)
- Nigeria's diaspora remittances exceed $90bn in five years — NiDCOM — Punch Newspapers (https://punchng.com/nigerias-diaspora-remittances-exceed-90bn-in-five-years-nidcom/)
- Nigerians in Diaspora Commission — official mandate — Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Federal Government of Nigeria (https://nidcom.gov.ng/)

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