Nigerians in Diaspora Commission NIDCOM and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund TETFUND are collaborating towards building a Diaspora Management Research in Nigeria.
The agreement was reached at a meeting between a delegation from NiDCOM, led by the Chairman of the Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa and the Executive Secretary TETFUND, Prof. Suleiman Bogoro in Abuja, Nigeria.
Dabiri-Erewa stated during the meeting that the Commission was collaborating with the University of Ibadan to build a Diaspora Research for Development Centre at the University.
She emphasised that the project, which is a 10-year plan, is aimed at looking at the impact of the Nigerian Diaspora on the global front.
“The Centre will build capacity to train the academia and produce numerous academic resources on Diaspora and Migration studies”.
Economic and political growth
The NiDCOM CEO is positive that the outcome of the Centre will implement favourable policies for economic and political growth in the country, and Africa at large.
She added that there was need to resuscitate Linkages with Experts and Academics in the Diaspora Scheme (LEADS), an exchange programme for Nigerians in Diaspora in the Academia to lecture students in Nigeria during sabbaticals.
In his response, Professor Sulaiman Bogoro said that the Trust Fund is always eager to partner with organisations, as well as, collaborate in areas concerning research.
According to him, TETFUND over the years have made it a mandate to uplift the standard of tertiary institutions in Nigeria to globally competitive levels, in various means necessary.
He expressed his dismay at the constant exodus of Nigeria’s best brains leaving the country for greener pastures.
He however expressed optimism that the Commission and TETFUND will address and harmonise the issues.
Bogoro stressed that research is a paramount tool in properly structuring the socio-economic terrain of the nation, to encourage Nigerians abroad to actively key into the affairs of the country for national growth.
While looking forward to the partnership, the TETFUND Boss noted with optimism that a residual’ budget, from the 2022 budget may be allocated by the Fund to support the project.
On the LEADS programme, Prof. Bogoro stated that a document on that regard, be submitted for review and consideration.
A technical Committee was set up to look into the project.
Dominica Nwabufo
