The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has commended its citizens abroad who have attained prominent leadership positions in international organisations, global corporations, healthcare institutions and academic establishments.
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said the achievements reflected the talent, expertise and contributions of Nigerians to global development.
In a statement issued by the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Dabiri-Erewa described the accomplishments as a source of national pride and a testament to the relevance of President Bola Tinubu’s 4Ds Foreign Policy Agenda: Development, Democracy, Demography and Diaspora.
“These achievements are a source of pride to Nigeria. They demonstrate that Nigerians, wherever they may reside, continue to contribute significantly to global progress,” she stated.
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She noted that the accomplishments reinforced the importance of the Diaspora pillar of the President’s foreign policy agenda and the need to engage Nigerians abroad as strategic partners in national development.
Recognised Nigerians
Among the Nigerians recognised for their reported achievements are Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu in international cancer control; Professor Ibrahim Abubakar in global epidemic preparedness; Dr. Bolu Ogunyemi in Canadian medical leadership; and Professor Christian Harrison in academic management.
Others include Ugwechi Amadi in global corporate strategy, Dr. Salamat Ahuoiza Aliu-Ibrahim in specialised neurosurgery, and Ifeanyi Umunna in student leadership at Harvard Law School.
Dabiri-Erewa explained that the four pillars of the foreign policy agenda highlighted the strategic value of Nigerians abroad through professional expertise, innovation, investment, democratic values and human capital development.
She stressed that Nigeria could benefit significantly from the knowledge and experience of diaspora professionals through stronger collaboration with local institutions, particularly in healthcare, education, research, technology, entrepreneurship and public policy.
The NiDCOM Chief called for deliberate efforts to promote knowledge exchange, professional mentorship, investment partnerships and institutional cooperation between Nigerians abroad and organisations at home.
She also encouraged young Nigerians to draw inspiration from the achievements of their compatriots on the international stage, emphasising the importance of excellence, integrity, innovation and dedication in professional and public life.
“Our diaspora is not merely a community living beyond Nigeria’s sovereign boundaries; it is an invaluable reservoir of talent, experience, innovation, and opportunity,” she said.
Dabiri-Erewa reaffirmed NiDCOM’s commitment to identifying, documenting, celebrating and engaging Nigerians in the diaspora to support Government’s development objectives.
She noted that sustained diaspora engagement would help strengthen Nigeria’s international partnerships, improve its global image and translate individual accomplishments into broader national development gains.
