The Nigerian Government has called on Nigerians in the diaspora to move beyond remittances and channel their resources, expertise and global networks into structured investments capable of accelerating the nation’s economic transformation.
The call was made at the maiden Nigeria-Canada Diaspora Economic Conference in Toronto, organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) under the theme, ‘Thrive Abroad, Invest at Home’.
The conference brought together the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Governors Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State and Charles Soludo of Anambra State; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole; members of the National Assembly; Canadian investors; and members of the Nigerian community in Canada.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described the Nigerian diaspora as an untapped economic resource and urged Nigerians abroad to combine success in their host countries with meaningful contributions to Nigeria’s development.
Dabiri-Erewa challenged participants to invest in at least one project in Nigeria, mentor a young Nigerian, partner with a small or medium-sized enterprise, or support critical institutions such as hospitals, schools and communities.
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She urged the diaspora to move from discussions to concrete investments, stressing that Nigeria was open for business and that the opportunity to invest was now.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, said the government was not asking Nigerians abroad to invest merely because Nigeria was their homeland, but because the country increasingly presented a strong and attractive business proposition.
“Ongoing economic reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are repositioning the economy from consumption to production, raw-material export dependence to stronger domestic production and export competitiveness,” she said.
According to the Minister, Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product grew by 3.89 per cent in the first quarter of 2026, while manufacturing expanded by 3.29 per cent.
She explained that capital importation reached 10.37 billion dollars, representing an increase of more than 83 per cent year-on-year.
Oduwole said, “The government is seeking long-term investments in manufacturing, agro-processing, technology, logistics, energy, healthcare, infrastructure and export-oriented businesses.”
She also invited Canadian investors to take advantage of opportunities in Nigeria.
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State urged Nigerians in the diaspora to demonstrate greater willingness to take investment risks, citing the growing presence of Chinese investors in Nigeria as an example.
Lawal disclosed that he recently visited lithium-processing factories in China and noted that Zamfara possessed significant deposits of high-grade lithium.
He said three companies had already expressed interest in investing more than 250 million dollars in the state, adding that his administration was putting the necessary frameworks in place to secure the investments.
The Governor also said Zamfara was investing in critical infrastructure, including an international airport, five-star hotels, hospitals and schools, to strengthen the state’s investment environment and boost investor confidence.
Lawal assured potential investors of “the state government’s commitment to providing the legislative, institutional and political support required to protect investments.”
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Senator Victor Umeh, and Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Tochukwu Chinedu Okere, described Nigerians abroad as one of the country’s greatest assets, citing their excellence, resilience, innovation and hard work.
Citing World Bank data, they said remittances to Nigeria stood at 21.9 billion dollars, while Canada ranked fifth globally in total remittances but first in per-person contribution.
They noted that an estimated 412,000 Nigerians in Canada contribute about nine per cent of remittances, compared with 324,000 Nigerians in the United Kingdom contributing 12 per cent and 565,000 Nigerians in the United States contributing 14 per cent.
The lawmakers reaffirmed the commitment of the National Assembly to developing legislative frameworks that would strengthen diaspora engagement, protect Nigerians abroad and improve the ease of doing business for diaspora investors.
The conference is expected to feature further discussions and investment engagements, including a goodwill message from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to be delivered by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
