A Nigerian, Victoria Oluboyo has emerged as a councillor in the Italian university city of Parma, Emilia-Romagna region.

Oluboyo won a councilorship election on Monday (18 July 2022), making history in the process as the first Black African to do so.

Her victory has tossed the Nigerian community in Parma city into ecstasy.

One of them, Olufemi Iyanda, while expressing his joy over Oluboyo’s victory via a post on his Facebook page, said her achievement was a major boost in redeeming the images of Nigerians in Parma city.

He noted that Nigerian names used to be associated with prostitution and drug peddling but with the efforts of the Nigerian community, of which Victoria is a member, the narrative has changed.

“We are glad that Victoria made us proud through her relentlessness and commitment to issues that bother on female rights and emancipation cum political activism that culminate in her success story today. Five years ago, she tried but failed but today, God has crowned her efforts with success.

“While we wish her success, this is a clarion call on Nigerians resident in Italy to get more involved in community development activities and voluntary services and we are sure a better tomorrow and a promising future awaits our children born in the land,” the post read inter alia.

Oluboyo now join the list of emigrants of Nigerian descent who had made histories as first black African ministers, mayors, and councillors in foreign countries.