Immigrants, African-American Studies, Ethnic Studies, United States, Social Sciences 

Nigerians first came to the United States to attend American universities, intending to return home. Successive waves of Nigerian students began to stay, and now Nigerian Americans are the largest African immigrant group in the country. Pursuing education to attain professional careers remains the cornerstone of the new Nigerian American families. This book gives students and general readers a clear view of where these immigrants came from, examining the Nigerian values and way of life that have been adapted to American culture, the inroads they have made economically, their relations with other Americans, and their contributions to American society. The author, a Nigerian immigrant, has experienced the process firsthand and represents his community as an insider. He portrays the people as hard working, religious adherents who value family and education above all, and maintain deep ties and keen interest in current events in Nigeria. Tables, photos, and biographical sketches of noted Nigerian Americans accompany the narrative. 

Nigerians first came to the United States to attend American universities, intending to return home. Successive waves of Nigerian students began to stay, and now Nigerian Americans are the largest African immigrant group in the country. Pursuing education to attain professional careers remains the cornerstone of the new Nigerian American families. This book gives students and general readers a clear view of where these immigrants came from, examining the Nigerian values and way of life that have been adapted to American culture, the inroads they have made economically, their relations with other Americans, and their contributions to American society.The author, a Nigerian immigrant, has experienced the process firsthand and represents his community as an insider. He portrays the people as hard working, religious adherents who value family and education above all, and maintain deep ties and keen interest in current events in Nigeria. Tables, photos, and biographical sketches of noted Nigerian Americans accompany the narrative. - from Amzon 

CONTENTS

Series Foreword ……………………………………………………….....................p. ix

Acknowledgments ……………………………………………….....................p. xi

Part I Background ………………………………………………......................p. 1
1. Nigerian American Ethnic Roots: The Land, History,
People, and Culture ………………………………………................................p. 3
Land ………………………………………………………........................p. 3
History………………………………………………………..................…..p. 4
People …………………………………………………………..............p. 10
Culture …………………………………………………………..............p. 12

Part II Coming to the United States ………………………………......p. 19
2. Nigerian Immigration to the United States: An Overview…….p. 21
General Background of Nigerian Immigration..................p. 21
Causes and Characteristics of Nigerian Immigration.........p. 23

Part III Adjustment and Adaptation ………………………………...............p. 37
3. Dropping the Cultural Baggage ……………………………….......p. 39
Premigration Family Structure and Traditional Institutions.p. 39
Nigerian American Family Life and Values …………………...p. 43
The Basis of Nigerian American Family Values …………..p. 45
Maintaining Nigerian American Family Values …………..p. 52
Embracing the Emerging Culture ……………………………….......p. 54

4. Educational and Economic Adjustment ………………………......p. 59
Educational Trends ……………………………………………...........p. 59
Economic Adjustment ………………………………………................p. 69

5. Adjustment through Associations and the Media….................p. 81
Associations ……………………………………………………..............p. 81
Newspapers and Other Media……………………………………..........p. 97

6. Intergroup Relations ………………………………………………...........p. 103
Relations with White (European) Americans ………………….....p. 104
Relations with African Americans …………………………..............p. 111
Relations with Other African Immigrants ………………….....p. 117

7. Evolving Nigerian American Identity: Impediments, Legacy,
and Hope.......................................................................................p. 121
Factors that Affect the Development of True Nigerian and
Nigerian American Identity……………………………………………….......................p. 125

Part IV Conclusion …………………………………………………….........................p. 135
8. The Impact of Nigerian Americans on American Society.............p. 137
Education and Professional Service ……………………………............p. 138
Sports and Entertainment ………………………………………................p. 139
Cultural Enrichment p. …………………………………………................p. 141
Economic Contributions ………………………………………..............p. 142
Political Participation ……………………………………………...................p. 143
Nigerian Ethnic Church ………………………………………...............p. 143
Appendix Noted Nigerian Americans ………………………………......................p. 147