Vice President Shettima, lawmakers, Dabiri-Erewa urge stronger Diaspora partnership to accelerate national progress 

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By Anthony Maliki, Abuja 

Nigeria’s economic transformation agenda received renewed momentum as key government officials, lawmakers, and development partners converged at the 8th Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS) in Abuja, rallying Nigerians in the diaspora to play greater roles in advancing investment, innovation, and national prosperity.

Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Dunoma Umar Ahmed, declared the summit open, commending the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) under the leadership of Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa and the Nigeria Diaspora Summit Initiative (NDSI) for their consistent efforts in mobilising diaspora investments aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

This was contained in a statement by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Head, Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit.

He said this year’s theme, “Fast-Tracking Regional and National Development by Mobilising Diaspora Investment,” aligns with the administration’s drive to build a prosperous Nigeria powered by the collective strength and ingenuity of its citizens at home and abroad.

The Vice President reaffirmed the Federal Government’s determination to create a conducive environment for investment through reforms and programmes such as the Home and Abroad Housing Platform, the proposed Diaspora Bond, the ₦75 billion MSME Intervention Fund, the FGN–ALAT Digital Skillnovation Programme, and massive infrastructure projects valued at over ₦4 trillion in roads, bridges, power, and digital connectivity.

He further urged Nigerians in the diaspora to return home not only physically but economically, investing their expertise and resources in critical sectors to drive transformation across the country.

In his remarks, Senator Aniekan Bassey, Chairman, Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs, represented by his Deputy, Senator Anthony Siyako Yaro, described diaspora investment as a catalyst for national progress, capable of bridging funding gaps, opening new markets, and stimulating innovation.

He proposed the establishment of a Diaspora Bank and Investment Trust Fund to mobilise diaspora savings, provide loans, finance entrepreneurship, and channel resources into key sectors such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and technology. 

Bassey commended NiDCOM for creating the State Diaspora Focal Point Officers (SDFPOs), a model already yielding positive results across states.

He assured that the National Assembly remains committed to providing legislative support through relevant bills including the Social Development Amendment Bill, the Company and Allied Matters Amendment Bill, and the National Association of Chartered Evaluators Bill to strengthen diaspora participation in national progress.

In her keynote speech, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, welcomed participants and described the summit as a movement of purpose uniting investors, innovators, and policymakers in shaping a forward-looking Nigeria.

She emphasised that Nigeria’s diaspora community, with over 17 million citizens contributing an estimated GDP of more than one trillion dollars, remains a key asset for national transformation.

She noted that while remittances exceeded $25 billion dollars in 2024, there is a need to channel such capital and expertise into structured investments that drive inclusive growth.

Dabiri-Erewa outlined opportunities in infrastructure, renewable energy, healthcare, education, and technology, while also acknowledging the challenges of regulatory bottlenecks and access to financing.

She called for strengthened institutional frameworks, improved business environments, and deeper partnerships between government, private sector, and diaspora communities.

In her goodwill message, Ms. Sharon Dimanche, Chief of Mission, International Organization for Migration (IOM), praised Nigeria’s progress in institutionalising diaspora engagement through policies, partnerships, and data-driven programmes.

She highlighted IOM’s collaboration with NiDCOM and state governments under the EU-funded Support to Migration Governance Programme, which focuses on diaspora mapping, policy frameworks, and investment partnerships in Cross River, Abia, and Lagos States.

Ms. Dimanche reaffirmed IOM’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in transforming diaspora potential into practice, noting that diaspora investment can strengthen agriculture, renewable energy, healthcare, education, and digital technology. She proposed three key priorities for action: creating an enabling environment, diversifying investment channels, and empowering regional and local governments to attract diaspora capital.

The summit, which brings together policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs, and development partners, continues to reinforce the pivotal role of the Nigerian diaspora as a driver of innovation, economic growth, and sustainable progress.

Highlights of the Summit include the unveiling of Nigeria Book project, a compendium of all one needs to know about Nigeria, by stakeholders in attendance which include the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, DG Voice of Nigeria, Malam Jibril Ndace, lawmakers and some Diaspora members in attendance.