Nigeria is targeting increased investment, job creation and foreign exchange inflows from the 2026 Nigeria Diaspora Investment Economic Conference (NIDEC), scheduled to hold in Toronto, Canada, from August 12 to 15.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, said the conference is designed as an outcome-driven platform to attract capital, strengthen trade relations and connect investment-ready Nigerian projects with members of the diaspora.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Digital Media and Public Diplomacy to the Minister, Raphael Oni, Enikanolaiye stated this at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while speaking with journalists before departing for Canada as part of the Federal Government delegation to the conference.
According to him, the engagement is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 4Ds Foreign Policy Agenda of Demography, Development, Democracy and Diaspora, with emphasis on measurable economic outcomes.
“This administration does not travel for jamborees. We travel for results,” the Minister said, adding that the high-powered delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, reflects the strategic importance attached to NIDEC 2026.
He said Nigeria would use the conference to deepen trade and investment ties with Canada, particularly with the participation of senior Canadian officials, including President of the Treasury Board, Hon. Shafqat Ali, and ministers from Ontario.
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Enikanolaiye said discussions would focus on new trade opportunities, SME partnerships and improved market access for Nigerian products in the North American market.
The Minister also highlighted the potential for increased foreign exchange inflows and job creation, noting that the participation of institutions including the Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, Nigerian Export Promotion Council and Nigeria Revenue Service would enable Nigeria to present opportunities around diaspora capital, exports and remittance-backed investments.
He said the participation of five governors from Anambra, Borno, Kaduna, Plateau and Zamfara would enable states to directly engage prospective investors on projects in infrastructure, agriculture, technology and mining.
Enikanolaiye further said the conference would promote technology and skills transfer, with the participation of the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, Kashifu Inuwa, expected to facilitate partnerships in digital innovation, fintech and information technology capacity building.
On diaspora engagement, he described NIDEC as a platform for connecting “investment-ready” Nigerian projects with high-net-worth Nigerians abroad, while also strengthening trust between the government and the diaspora.
He noted that Nigeria recorded more than $20 billion in diaspora remittances last year, stressing the need to channel such resources into productive investments capable of generating employment and expanding businesses.
“NIDEC 2026 is economic diplomacy in action. Nigeria is open for business. And we are going to Toronto to close deals,” he said.
The conference, themed “Invest Nigeria, Thrive Abroad,” is organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM)N, in collaboration with the Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa and the Canadian High Commission in Abuja.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the conference would provide a bridge between global capital and bankable projects in Nigeria.
