Immigrant communities in Rome. The Nigerian.
Our research continues on the immigrant communities in Rome that enrich the social and cultural fabric of the Italian capital. According to the most recent data, the Nigerian community is one of the largest among the African ones present in Rome and is one of those that keeps its cultural and religious traditions alive (net of the strong contaminations of colonial origin in Africa), as well as organizing events and celebrations. Among these, religious holidays such as Christmas and Easter for Catholics or traditional celebrations such as Eid al-Fitr for Muslims (i.e. the day following the end of Ramadam) and the New Yam Festival of the Igbo ethnic group, an ancient thanksgiving celebration.
Many community members actively participate in cultural and religious associations that promote Nigerian culture and facilitate the integration of newcomers. These associations also offer legal support and assistance with job orientation and finding accommodation.
With the increase in migratory flows, not all Nigerians have managed to be integrated, but those who have succeeded have found employment in the service sector, construction and commerce, showing a growing interest in education, with many students attending Italian schools and universities.
The community faces numerous difficulties, including racism, discrimination, they often live in overcrowded and exploitative situations.
However, let us consider that Nigeria is a federal republic made up of 36 states plus the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja. We are therefore talking about the most populous on the African continent and the sixth in the world. According to ISTAT data reported in 2023 by the TuttoItalia website, the number of Nigerians in Italy is 123,646, in the province of Rome there are 7,955 and in Lazio 12,039.
The Nigerian Embassy in Rome, in the Prati district in via Orazio 14, is the only Nigerian consular office in Italy.
With the “(A)mare Conchiglie” project we had the opportunity to interview migrants from Nigeria, who arrived in Anzio and Nettuno, who told their contemporary odyssey, the journey on crowded boats, the stories of blood and desperation.
In 2016, following the horrors of Boko Haram, Nigerians held the record for asylum requests in Italy. There are several women victims of trafficking, but despite the difficult conditions in Nigeria only 25% of Nigerians in Europe manage to obtain humanitarian protection.
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