The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has urged young Nigerians to dream big, believe in themselves, and pursue their ambitions with determination, stressing that success comes through resilience and hard work.
Dabiri-Erewa made the call during the Youth Empowerment Summit, one of the major activities marking the 2026 National Diaspora Day celebration in Abuja.
She said the summit was organised to inspire and equip young Nigerians with the knowledge, leadership skills and motivation needed to become responsible citizens and future leaders.
“I encourage participants to maximise the opportunity to learn from experienced resource persons and panellists. The programme was designed to help you develop leadership capacity, overcome challenges and remain proud of your Nigerian identity,” she said.
The NiDCOM Chairman recalled that several young people who previously participated in similar empowerment programmes had gone on to achieve remarkable success, returning to share testimonies that highlighted the impact of mentorship and capacity-building initiatives.
As part of the programme, Dabiri-Erewa introduced two Nigerians who recently returned from South Africa, where they shared stories of perseverance despite facing difficult circumstances abroad.
One of the returnees, a Chemical Engineering student, recounted how he successfully balanced his academic studies with operating a tutoring business that served more than 30 students each week before being forced to return to Nigeria.
He said he “hopes to continue his education while exploring career opportunities in the power and petroleum sectors. Although he missed the friendships he built in South Africa, he admitted he did not miss the discrimination and bureaucratic hurdles he encountered during his stay.”
Another returnee, Mrs Maria Adeyemi, narrated the hardships her family endured in South Africa, including documentation challenges, financial setbacks and a prolonged separation from her husband. She expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Government for facilitating their safe return to Nigeria through NiDCOM’s intervention.
Adeyemi also disclosed her plans to establish a restaurant in Nigeria, saying she hopes to contribute to the country’s hospitality industry by showcasing her culinary skills.
Responding to the testimonies, Dabiri-Erewa assured the returnees that NiDCOM would continue to work with relevant stakeholders to support their reintegration and help them realise their aspirations.
She reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to youth empowerment, diaspora engagement and the successful reintegration of returning Nigerians through programmes that create opportunities for personal and national development.
Also speaking at the summit, the Group Managing Director of ARCO Group Plc, Alfred Okoigun, urged Nigerian youths to embrace innovation, integrity and lifelong learning as essential values for national development.
” Young people have a critical role to play in transforming Nigeria, particularly in the healthcare sector, through creativity, professionalism and collaboration,” he said
He commended NiDCOM, under the leadership of Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, for providing a platform that connects young Nigerians with accomplished professionals and members of the diaspora to promote mentorship, collaboration and nation-building.
Okoigun also praised the Nigerian Government for supporting initiatives that empower young Nigerians while harnessing the expertise and experience of Nigerians in the diaspora to drive sustainable national development.
, Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has urged young Nigerians to dream big, believe in themselves, pursue their ambitions with determination, and recognise that success is achievable through resilience and hard work.){kind=link}